Exhibition Highlights

Discover the world of Elsa Schiaparelli in the UK’s very first exhibition dedicated to this fashion icon. This journey takes you from her groundbreaking start in the 1920s all the way to the modern day, showing how her house continues to innovate under current creative director Daniel Roseberry.

Born into an aristocratic Italian family, Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973) opened her doors in Paris in 1927. She quickly became a sensation for her playful approach to fashion, blending sophisticated knitwear with the dreamlike spirit of Surrealism. Whether she was using bold insects, clever optical illusions, or her signature "shocking pink," her work was always a celebration of the unexpected.

Elsa was famous for her witty evening wear, earning a huge following of people who loved her smart yet wildly eccentric style. She lived at the heart of the art world, collaborating closely with legendary Cubist and Surrealist artists. A perfect example is this stunning evening coat from her Autumn 1937 collection, which was brought to life from drawings by the French poet and filmmaker Jean Cocteau.

Take a moment to look closely at the coat’s design. Cocteau was fascinated by "double images"—a trick also loved by artists like Salvador Dalí. What looks like two profiles facing one another also forms a hidden image: a vase of roses standing on a classic column. It’s a wonderful example of how Schiaparelli invited us to see the world a little differently.