Schiaparelli Haute Couture Retro Tank Ruby Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU1201152647
House of Schiaparelli
From her signature color Shocking Pink to her collaborations with Surrealist artists, the boldly original Elsa Schiaparelli transformed fashion with her haute couture house Maison Schiaparelli 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 Maison Schiaparelli clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Schiaparelli Haute Couture Pine Cone Necklace, Jean SchlumbergerBy Jean SchlumbergerLocated in New York, NYImportant Haute Couture Pine Cone Necklace made by Jean Schlumberger for Schiaparelli. "Schiaparelli is above all the dressmaker of eccentricity. Has she not the air of a young demo...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Choker Necklaces
- House of Schiaparelli Faux Topaz and Citrine Chandelier EarclipsBy House of SchiaparelliLocated in New York, NYSchiaparelli's costume jewelery of the 1950's continued the leit motifs from her pre-war and post-war couture collections. Nature,art, ethnic culture...Category
Vintage 1950s American Chandelier Earrings
- House of Schiaparelli Multicolor and Iridized VariStone EarclipsBy House of SchiaparelliLocated in New York, NYSchiaparelli's costume jewelery of the 1950's continued the leit motifs from her pre-war and post-war couture collections. Nature,art, ethnic cultures...Category
Vintage 1950s American Clip-on Earrings
- House of Schiaparelli Retro Style Tassle Demi ParureBy House of SchiaparelliLocated in New York, NYSchiaparelli's costume jewelery of the 1950's continued the leit motifs from her pre-war and post-war couture collections. Nature,art, ethnic cultures and influences such as surreali...Category
Vintage 1950s American More Jewelry
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Schiaparelli Haute Couture Aqua and Enamel Cuff, 1930'sBy House of SchiaparelliLocated in New York, NYSchiaparelli Haute Couture Cuff from the late 1930s of bezel set open back oval "aquamarines" set against a contrasting ground of black enam...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Cuff Bracelets
- Schiaparelli Haute Couture Harlequin, 1939 by Jean SchlumbergerBy House of SchiaparelliLocated in New York, NYSchiaparelli Haute Couture Harlequin Brooch, Spring 1939 Jean Schlumberger. The 12 Dictates. Some of which still reign true... 1. Since ...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Brooches
- Sterling Silver Reef NecklaceBy Esther EyreLocated in London, GBSophisticated elegance the Reef sterling silver necklace is as gorgeous as it is distinctive. After an adventurous trip to Venezuela, Esther designed the 'Reef Collection' inspired ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Artisan Link Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Gold Plated Silver Reef NecklaceBy Esther EyreLocated in London, GBDelight in the elegance and sophistication of this beautiful Reef necklace made in gold plated sterling silver. After an adventurous trip to Venezuela, Esther designed the 'Reef Col...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Artisan Link Necklaces
MaterialsGold Plate, Silver
- Atelier Borgila Neclace, Sweden 1957 in Sterling SilverBy Atelier BorgilaLocated in Skanninge, SEReally nice sterling silver necklace. Made by famous Swedish firm Borgila in 1957. This is a very stylish and modernist necklace. Necklace length 51cm. With Borgila stamps. Atelier ...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Modernist Link Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 10 Carat Brilliant Round Graduating Diamond Tennis Necklace in 14K White GoldBy Simon ArdemLocated in New York, NYGraduating Diamond Tennis necklace in 14K white gold. Natural brilliant round diamonds are F-G-H VS1-SI2, ranging from 2 to 5 mm, in three prongs style setting. Total carat weight: 1...Category
2010s American Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
- Cartier Maillon Panthere Diamond Necklace 3 Rows 18K White Gold - Circa 1996By CartierLocated in Chicago, ILThis Cartier Maillon Panthere 3-row Diamond Necklace is 18 inches in length and weighs 56.20 DWT (approx. 87.4 grams). It contains 240 round diamonds weighing an approximate total of...Category
1990s French Contemporary Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Tiffany & Co. Atlas Collection Necklace 18 Karat Yellow GoldBy Tiffany & Co.Located in Chicago, ILRetired design Tiffany & Co. Atlas Collection necklace. The necklace is 17 inches in length, made of 18K yellow gold, and weighs 79.60 DWT (approx. 123.79 grams).Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Link Necklaces
Materials18k Gold