Schiaparelli Surreal Shocking Pink Petit Coeur Guest Soaps
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU46321322
Elsa Schiaparelli
From her signature color Shocking Pink to her collaborations with Surrealist artists, the boldly original Elsa Schiaparelli transformed fashion 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 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Victorian Chatelaine PerfumeLocated in New York, NYVictorian Chatelaine Perfume from the 19th Century of gilt and silver gilt metal. Retains original hook to hang from belt as well as matching vial with original cork and glass liner....Category
1870s French Other
- Art Nouveau Unger Brothers Cherub MatchsafeBy Unger BrothersLocated in New York, NYCharming Art Nouveau Unger Brothers Cherub Matchsafe from the late 19th Century. Wonderful 3D repousee work depicting cherubs within an elaborate scroll work frame. Signed with "UB"...Category
Late 19th Century American Other
- Victorian Elaborately Carved Tortoise LorgnetteLocated in New York, NYVictorian tortoiseshell hand carved lorgnette from the late 19th Century. Carved with the typical curlicues of the period with beautiful openwork detailing. 1880s USA, Domestic Sales...Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Other
- Elsa Schiaparelli's "Sleeping de Schiaparelli" Perfume SachetsBy Elsa SchiaparelliLocated in New York, NYSchiaparelli's Mint in Box, "Sleeping" perfume sachets of "Sleeping Blue" satin, over stitched with Schiaparelli's signature "S". Still fragrant wrapped in the original unopened cellophane, tied with vibrant yellow ribbon. "Sleeping," is one of many perfumes Schiaparelli designed, debuted for her summer 1940 collection. For her spring 1939 Commedia dell' arte collection, Schiaparelli had been inspired by Man Ray's 1939 painting...Category
1940s French Other
- Victorian Paste Set CombLocated in New York, NYVictorian comb in silver metal with elaborate etched design. Late 19th Century set with 4 large cushion cut pastes and a center cluster of round pastes....Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Other
- Christian Dior Logo PochetteBy Christian DiorLocated in New York, NYChristian Dior Logo Brown Pochette edged and lined in brown calf leather. Practical size carryall for phone or wallet. One side has a extension ple...Category
1970s French Other
- Hermes Red & Orange Leather Rodeo Fringed Bag CharmBy HermèsLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2The Hermes Rodeo charm is a vibrant and stylish accessory. Made from high-quality leather, it features a rodeo-inspired design with fringed accents ...Category
2010s Italian Other
- MCM Visetos Logo Varsity Sweater Dog Cat Pet Puppy Pig 10mcm1027By MCMLocated in Dix hills, NYDate Code/Serial Number: MCV8SVP01RU00L Made In: Korea Measurements: Length: 16 " Width: .15 " Height: 12 " OVERALL NEW WITH OUT TAGCONDITION ( 9.75/10 or SA ) Accessories: None S...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Other
- Chanel Red Gradient Carbon Fibre SurfboardBy ChanelLocated in London, GBGet ready to catch a wave with this limited edition pre-owned 2015 Chanel Surfboard. First seen on Karl Lagerfeld's 1991 Spring/Summer runway, the surfboard has become a staple piece of Chanel's sporting collections. Designed by Philippe Barland, the board has been shaped from a red to white gradient carbon fibre...Category
2010s Decorative Objects
- Hermes Neobain Les Leopard Embossed Orange Case Medium ModelBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLGuaranteed authentic limited edition Hermes Neobain Les Leopards case featured in the medium model. Beautiful signature Orange with two leopards embossed ...Category
2010s French Other
- Hermes Bain Neobain Case Rose Blogger Small Model New w/BoxBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers a guaranteed authentic "Hermes Bain" Neobain case featured in the small model. Beautiful spring Rose Blogger pink is richly saturated with Hermes Bain Paris...Category
2010s French Other
- Hermes Tohubohu Pouch Hermes Rose Jaipur/Rose Sakura Medium ModelBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Tohubohu Pouch Medium model featured in Rose Jaipur. A multifunctional piece in butter soft Milo Lambskin. Top zip has Rose Sakura swift leather pull. Ton...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Other
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Saw It at the Met Ball. Here’s What Camp Fashion Is Really About
This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.
The Met’s Latest Blockbuster Tells a Powerful Story through 230 Jewels
A captivating show at the Manhattan museum explores how jewelry has ornamented the body through the millennia — and redefines it as high art.