From her signature color Shocking Pink to her collaborations with Surrealist artists, the boldly original Elsa Schiaparelli transformed fashion with her haute couture house from the late 1920s to the early ’50s. Experimenting with elements like trompe l’oeil images and colorful visible zippers, the Italian designer instilled a provocative avant-garde artistry in her clothing and accessories, including those created with Salvador Dalí, such as the lobster dress and a hat shaped like a shoe.
Born in Rome, Schiaparelli was a rebellious child who grew up among the city’s intellectual elite. She had a voracious appetite for reading and became interested in ancient cultures, astronomy and world religions. Schiaparelli studied philosophy at the University of Rome, and after publishing a collection of poems on love and sensuality that so mortified her conservative parents that they tried, unsuccessfully, to confine her to a Swiss convent, she left for London.
A quick marriage to Count Wilhelm de Wendt de Kerlor brought her to New York, but it would be in Paris following her divorce that Schiaparelli embraced her artistic passions. She moved to the French capital city in 1922 with her young daughter and happened to meet master couturier Paul Poiret, who loaned the stylish Schiaparelli his clothes, sparking her own fashion interests.
Schiaparelli opened her modest atelier in Paris and debuted her first collection of knitwear in 1927, and later that year, she designed a black-and-white pullover hand-knit wool sweater featuring a trompe l’oeil bowknot that captured the attention of the fashion world. Vogue called it “an artistic masterpiece.” The success led to her moving her house to 21 Place Vendôme in 1935 where thousands of garments were produced each year.
Schiaparelli’s knitwear collections were later accompanied by revolutionary swimsuits and other clothing and accessories. Her inventive designs would include culottes — a radical statement in the 1930s when women still could cause a scandal by wearing pants — as well as printed fabric, such as the 1938 Tears dress with a print designed by Dalí making it appear as if the evening gown had been savagely ripped.
Schiaparelli was among the first designers to use materials like rayon and Lurex as well as explore wrap dresses and transparent raincoats. She also introduced unisex fragrances and brought her artistic partnerships into jewelry, such as bronze brooches made with Alberto Giacometti and fur-lined bracelets with Méret Oppenheim. As she wrote in her 1954 autobiography Shocking Life, women should “dare to be different.”
Despite her acclaim, her shop closed in 1954 after a tumultuous time during World War II. By then, fashion had moved on with Christian Dior's New Look, and the closure of Schiaparelli's business coincided with a comeback mounted by Coco Chanel, her archrival in the early days.
In 2006, Italian businessman Diego Della Valle acquired the brand and its archives, and the Maison Schiaparelli was reopened in 2012, back at 21 Place Vendôme where Schiaparelli's fearless and enduring work began.
Find vintage Elsa Schiaparelli hats, evening dresses and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Schiaparelli Citrine Studded Swag Chain Necklace
By Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Schiaparelli gilt chain swag necklace studded with citrine crystals throughout. 4 central oval citrine pastes form the focus of this attractive necklace. USA 1950's, design France. ...
Gilt Metal, Gold Plate, Base Metal
Designer Roberto Coin Diamond Elephant Skin Necklace, 18 Karat Gold 53 Grams
Located in New York, NY
Made of 18k yellow and white gold, the necklace is set with sparkling round cut diamonds that weigh approximately 1.2ct. The necklace can be adjusted to two lengths 16 and 18 inche...
Diamond, 18k Gold
30.32 Carat Opal Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Necklace One of a Kind
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
A stunning 30.32 carat opal diamond necklace is handmade in 14K white gold and 2.14 carats glimmering diamonds. One of a Kind Please note that carat weights may slightly vary as eac...
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
12.70 Carat Multi-Colors Rainbow Sapphires & Diamond Chain Necklace in 18k Gold
By GEM PLAZA
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Multi-Colors Rainbow Sapphire Chain Necklace in 18K Rose Gold studded with mix cut sapphire pieces. Accessorize your look with this elegant Blue sapphire chain necklace. This stunnin...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Elegant 18ct White Gold Diamond Pendant Necklace – Modern Geometric Design
Located in London, GB
Experience timeless sophistication with this 18ct white gold pendant necklace, crafted to perfection for both everyday elegance and special occasions. The pendant features a modern g...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,758
W 4 in L 2.55 in
Antique 10.35 Carat Cabochon Cut Moonstone and Yellow Gold Pendant Drop Necklace
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 10.35 carat moonstone and 12 karat yellow gold pendant, 9 karat yellow gold necklace; part of our Victorian jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive antique cabochon cut moonstone necklace has been crafted in 12k yellow gold with a vintage 9k yellow gold trace chain. The pendant displays seven, individually displayed, claw / prong set cabochon cut moonstones. The central design consists of two moonstone ornamented linear settings suspended from the central, horizontally held moonstone. A single linear drop with a claw / prong set moonstone terminal is suspended and articulates from each of the two outer horizontal moonstone settings. The pendant drop and link arrangement has been sympathetically combined with a hallmarked vintage 9k yellow gold 40.64cm/16" trace chain (1986) which secures with a conventional spring loaded bolt ring fastening. The replacement chain is hallmarked to the clasp with the Sheffield import mark, the 9k yellow gold fineness mark 375 and date letter for 1986 (M). The pendant link arrangement has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as 12k gold. This antique moonstone...
Moonstone, Yellow Gold
Sunita Nahata Diamond 1.72ct. Bloom Long Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold.
By Sunita Nahata
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This diamond collection showcases elegant pieces that are extremely versatile and a timeless addition to your jewelry collection and are perfect for everyday wear. These pieces are p...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Tanisa Nahata Diamond Bloom Necklace in 18 Karat Gold
By Tanisa Nahata
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This diamond collection showcases elegant pieces that are extremely versatile and a timeless addition to your jewelry collection and are perfect for everyday wear. These pieces are p...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2.15 Carat Natural Diamond 3 Prong Necklace 14K White Gold 16''
Located in New York, NY
2.15 Carat Natural Diamond 3 Prong Necklace G SI 14K White Gold 16 inches 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way 2.15CT G-H SI 14K White Gold, 3 Pr...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
0.75 Carat Diamond Flower Bezel Drop Necklace 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
0.75 Carat Diamond Flower Bezel Drop Necklace G SI 14K Yellow Gold 18 inches 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Necklace 0.75CT G-H S...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 15K Gold Moonstone Necklace
Located in Houston, TX
Victorian chain necklace in 15K yellow gold featuring eleven oval moonstones drops. The moonstones are colorless to white body color with blue adularescence. Marked "15 ct" on the c...
Moonstone, 15k Gold
$899 / item
H 0.63 in W 0.63 in L 18 in
0.25 Carat Natural Diamond Clover Pendant Necklace 14K White Gold Chain
Located in New York, NY
100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Diamond Necklace with 18'' chain 0.25CT G-H SI 14K White Gold, Pave style, 1.7 gram 5/8 inch in height, 5/8 inch in width ...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
1.80 Carat Diamond Disc Necklace G SI 14K White Gold 85 Stones
Located in New York, NY
1.80 Carat Diamond Necklace G SI 14K White Gold 85 stones 18 inches 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way 1.80CT G-H SI 14K Whit...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold