Shocking Life. The autobiography of Elsa Schaiparelli. 1st Edition. 1954
View Similar Items
Shocking Life. The autobiography of Elsa Schaiparelli. 1st Edition. 1954
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 6.25 in (15.88 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. A few small tears and dings to the dust cover. Shown in photos 1 and 10.
- Seller Location:University City, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7363147143
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.
- Art Deco Sleek Red & Black Enamel Unisex Cigarette Case c 1940sLocated in University City, MOArt Deco sleek red & black enamel unisex cigarette case c 1940s The elegant cigarette case is designed with a striped enamel lid cover with bold red & black geometric lacquered pane...Category
1940s Unknown Curiosities
- Chanel Boutique Scarlet Silk Black Velvet Evening Jacket, circa 1990sBy Chanel BoutiqueLocated in University City, MOChanel Boutique scarlet silk black velvet evening jacket c 1990s The elegant jacket is designed with the front facade of sumptuous red sil...Category
Late 20th Century French Jackets
$975 Sale Price45% Off - David Brown for Saks Fifth Avenue Chic Bold Poly Knit Patio Lounge Gown c 1970sBy For Saks Fifth AvenueLocated in University City, MODavid Brown for Saks Fifth Avenue Bold graphic print poly knit patio lounge gown c 1970s The stylish poly knit gown is illustrated with Japanese style woman on both the front & back sides The poly knit lounge...Category
1970s Unknown Informal Dresses
$375 Sale Price21% Off - Surrealistic Scarlet Red Leather Brass Claw Belt by Georges Mailian ParisLocated in University City, MOSurrealistic scarlet red leather brass claw belt designed by Georges Mailian Paris The spectacular avant-garde belt is adorned with a huge brass ...Category
1980s French Belts
$1,200 Sale Price20% Off - Michaele Vollbrach Spectacular Large Silk Hand Rolled Scarf - Textile c 1980sBy Michaele VolbrachLocated in University City, MOMichaele Vollbrach Spectacular large silk canine hand rolled scarf - textile c 1980s 45 x 43.5 The bold dramatic textile is illustrated with a sleek canine figure illuminated agai...Category
1980s Unknown Scarves
- Versace Cherry Red Leather Dress with Gilt Belt.By VersaceLocated in University City, MOExciting cherry red leather body hugging sleeveless dress. High impact. Delicate gilt chain belt adorned with subtle Medusa heads. Flirty zippers at the hem and shoulder also sportin...Category
2010s Italian Sheath Dresses
$420 Sale Price20% Off
- 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 Bride-A-Brac Orange Case Large ModelBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Trousse Bride-A-Brac cosmetic bag featured in Orange canvas. Embroidered H on the front. This little treasure has become popular as a beach bag for small...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Other
- 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
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.