Schiaparelli Hot Pink Silk Dress & Coat Set Ensemble
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU19619138172
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 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Christian Dior by John Galliano F/W 1999 Very Stylish Camel Cashmere SuitBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Los Angeles, CAJohn Galliano for Christian Dior soft camel cashmere wool suit from the Dior collection F/W 1999. Uniquely designed with asymmetric fitted jacket with sleek midi skirt makes a high...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
- Moschino Rare Roy Lichtenstein Jacket and Pants Suit S/S 1991By MoschinoLocated in Los Angeles, CAFranco Moschino, Cheap & Chic suit, 1992. Features Lichtenstein cartoon-like dot design, printed words in Italian say Domani E’ Un Altro Giorno - "Tomorrow is Another Day". Designe...Category
20th Century Trouser Pant Suits
- Tom Ford/Gwyneth Paltrow Iconic Oscar Gown & Cape New!By Tom FordLocated in Los Angeles, CASuper stunning iconic Tom Ford evening gown with matching cape. Identical to the one worn by Gwyneth Paltrow to the Oscars. The gown fashion...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Moschino Couture Runway Corset Tux Jumpsuit Holiday Dressing! NWTBy Moschino CoutureLocated in Los Angeles, CAMoschino Couture jumpsuit specially designed with dramatic exciting eye catching presence! Ruched rich rose magenta silk bodice with fine black wool tux style trousers. Boned bodic...Category
2010s Evening Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana D&G Unisex Red White Blue Denim Jean Jacket and JeansBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CAD&G pre-washed white denim American stars and stripes jean jacket and matching jeans. Rough cut at hemline. This iconic 2002 ensemble can be worn by either male or female. Jacket s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Trouser Pant Suits
- Tom Ford Signature Black Body Hugging Gown with Cape New!By Tom FordLocated in Los Angeles, CAA signature style by Tom Ford in this version of a body hugging gown with high back kick pleat. A sheer black silk chiffon cape completes the look. Dramatic, elegant and sophisticate...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Oscar de la Renta Ivory & Navy Silk Chiffon Beaded Blouse & Tank Set - MBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLOscar de la Renta Ivory & Navy Silk Chiffon Beaded Blouse & Tank Set - M. This set is in excellent vintage condition with the only issue being some discoloration by the arm pit area ...Category
1990s French Twin Sets
- Emanuel Ungaro Parallele 1990’s Navy Boucle Jacket with skirt - Size 12By Emanuel UngaroLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis vintage 1990’s Navy Boucle Jacket has white stitching throughout making a large checkered pattern. The jacket also has 3 yellow grosgrain ribbon making horizontal rows along the...Category
1970s Italian Skirt Suits
- Off-white skirt suit Karl Lagerfeld for Neiman MarcusBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FROff-white skirt suit with double-breasted jacket. Main fabric composition: wool. Silk lining. SIZE 40 (Fr) 10 (Us)Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Vintage 2 Pc Yves Saint Laurent Black Sequin Evening Dress Alternative EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis is a really versatile 1980's Yves Saint Laurent vintage knit skirt suit with shimmering black sequins. This evening dress alternative set inclu...Category
1980s European Evening Dresses
- Black evening skirt-suit with rhinestone buttons Lillie RubinBy Lillie RubinLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack evening skirt-suit with rhinestone button. Pleated on the bust and bubbling sleeves. Decorative rhinestone buttons with " reals" buttons underneath. Hook&eye in the middle fron...Category
1980s Korean Skirt Suits
- 60s Emma Domb Mint Green Dress and Evening Coat SetBy Emma DombLocated in San Francisco, CA60s Emma Domb Mint Green Dress and Evening Coat Set. Snap front closures on coat. Fully lined.Category
1960s Dress and Coat Ensembles