Schiaparelli Tan Beret with Red Beaded Trim, 1950s
View Similar Items
Schiaparelli Tan Beret with Red Beaded Trim, 1950s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Austin, TX
- Reference Number:Seller: ac_6351stDibs: LU1611771173
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.
- 1990s Tiffany & Co Satin Cube PurseBy Tiffany & Co.Located in Austin, TX4” satin cube purse from Tiffany & Co. Made in Italy Condition: Very good, some discoloration on interior lining.Category
1990s Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Complice black slip dress with longer hem in backBy Dolce & Gabbana, CompliceLocated in Austin, TXComplice black slip dress with longer hem in back Condition: Good, some all over wear 100% Viscose 28" bust, 24" waist, 35" hips, 53" length size S /...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Adele Simpson Linen Dress - saleBy Adele SimpsonLocated in Austin, TX1960s Adele Simpson red and white linen dress with rope belt and side pockets, v neck, zipper at back. Condition: Excellent. Size Medium We accept r...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- D&G Denim Bustier Sheer HalterBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Austin, TX2000s D&G sheer dress with denim bustier and stretch bottoms. Sz M/ US 6 / IT 42 Condition: Very good, no visble damage 29.5" bust, 26" waist, 44" hips...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche by Tom Ford strapless dress with slashesBy Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Austin, TX2003 YVES SAINT LAURENT RIVE GAUCHE BY TOM FORD strapless silk pink dress with cut outs at waist. Condition: Very good sizeCategory
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1994 Christian Lacroix Silk dress with metal collarBy Christian LacroixLocated in Austin, TXS/S 1994 Christian Lacroix Silk dress with metal collar halterneck yellow printed 100% silk Condition: Excellent 34" bust, 30" waist, 34" hips, 52" ...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Bottega Veneta Straw Beret HatLocated in Scottsdale, AZIf you're a lover of Beret's than this is one to add to your collection. 1980's Bottega Veneta Beret straw hat featured with a metallic silver/white leather tassel. Dead stock with original tags. The perfect cap to style with your Chanel outfit and YSL handbag...Category
Late 20th Century Berets
- A French Beret Hat in Rafia squirrel ribbons & transparent Celluloid Circa 1943Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1940-1945 France Amazing beret or large Bibi of lady in braided ribbons of brown Rafia squirrel and transparent Celluloïd dating from the Second World War...Category
1940s French Hats
- Chanel BNIB Ear Muffs Taupe/BlackBy ChanelLocated in West Hollywood, CAOriginal Chanel CC Shearling Ear Muffs in black and taupe. The earmuffs are made out of shearling and have a CC logo on each side. The piece comes in the original box and is brand new.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Berets
- Hattie Carnegie Pink Wool Knit Beret with Gathered detailBy Hattie CarnegieLocated in Los Angeles, CAMeasurements: 20" (size Small, but there is some stretch)Category
1940s American Berets
- Brown/Black Donna Karan Chenille Beret Hat Fall Winter 1993 DocumentedBy Donna KaranLocated in Los Angeles, CADonna Karan FW 1993 Every look had a beret in grey, brown, and black colorways in either a velvets or a knit chenille. This one is a brown (almost black) ultra soft knit chenile. R...Category
1990s American Berets
- John Galliano navy angora beret hat, fw 1989By John GallianoLocated in Melbourne, AUThis John Galliano beret is from the fall-winter 1989 ‘Hairclips’ collection. Made from angora fur, this beret is not only beautiful but incredibly soft to the touch, providing a lux...Category
1980s British Berets
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.