Quantcast
Channel: What Goes Around Comes Around - Blog » Surrealism
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

The Surreal Life

$
0
0
The Surreal Life

Designer Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973) is not only known as Coco Chanel's greatest rival, but also as one of the most creative couturières of the 1930s and 40s. Ahead of her time in many ways, Schiaparelli brought a completely new talent to the world of haute couture by fusing fashion with art.

Initally focusing on knitwear, Schiaparelli's first success was a line of black sweaters with an illusionistic "trompe l'oile" bowknot on the front . She then opened a boutique in 1927 called "pour le Sport"  consisting of sports wear, bathing suits and ski apparel. In 1931, Schiaparelli stunned the world by creating a new "divided skirt", basically shorts or culottes, for Lili de Alvarez to wear at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Evening wear and costume jewelry soon followed and the shop moved into the upscale Place Vendôme.

 The Surrealist movement was a huge source of inspiration for Schiaparelli. She worked with a number of artists including the great Salvador Dalí. Her many collaborations with Dalí, such as the hand painted  "Lobster Dress", "Tears Dress" and shoe hat have became some of her most famous designs.

 Schiaparelli was a trail blazer. She was was the first to ulitilize shoulder pads in women's wear and invented the wrap dress decades before Diane Von Furstenberg. She also was the first designer to use animal prints in fashion. Schiaparelli even coined the term "shocking pink", using it as her signature color and name of her well-known perfume line.

 
Sadly, the workshop was closed in 1954. Though Elsa Schiaparelli passed away in 1972, she left behind a legacy of clothing that continues to inspire artists to think outside the box. Hubert de Givenchy, Marc Jacobs and Miuccia Prada are just a few who have named her as a major influence in their careers.
For more Elsa Schiaparelli, browse her archives here.

Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Trending Articles