This first edition hardback book titled 'Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art' was created to accompany the exhibition of the same name at The Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington, running from 28th March 2026 to 08th November 2026.

 

Elsa Schiaparelli sent shockwaves through the fashion establishment with her witty, ingenious and provocative designs. Lauded by Cristóbal Balenciaga as the ‘only real artist in couture’ she infused her collections with Surrealist influences, and collaborated on pieces with art-world contemporaries including Man Ray, Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dalí and Alberto Giacometti. 

She caused a stir at Wimbledon by sending Lilí Álvarez to the 1931 tennis tournament in culottes; she clothed Amy Johnson for her first solo flight to Cape Town; and her ‘lobster’ dress made it into Wallis Simpson’s trousseau.​ ​

Today, Elsa’s visual vocabulary runs through Daniel Roseberry’s designs for maison Schiaparelli like a shocking pink thread. This lavishly illustrated book explores the origins and legacy of one of fashion’s greatest innovators.

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Measuring 32.8cm x 24.5cm x 2.5cm, the exhibition book comes with an EXCLUSIVE 36cm x 36cm (65cm w/ handle) 100% organic cotton tote bag featuring an image adapted from Schiaparelli’s 1927 trompe l’oeil jumper (an early design that embodied the designer’s innovative union of traditional textile crafts with her own inventiveness and wit) on one side w/ the V&A & Schiaparelli logos on the other, and a 17.8cm x 3.8cm recycled leather bookmark featuring Schiaparelli’s signature gold measuring tape.

 

Internal images (#6-#10) are stock photos to give an idea of book content. All items remain in their original unopened/brand new condition.

 

 

**NOTE** OUR APOLOGIES, BUT DUE TO DEALING WITH SEVERAL DISHONEST CUSTOMERS, WE ARE NOW SENDING ALL ITEMS TRACKED DELIVERY. WE NO LONGER SHIP TO EITHER BRZIL OR MEXICO.