• Website: schiaparelli.com
• Founded: 1927, Paris, France
• Founder: Elsa Schiaparelli
• Owned By: Diego Della Valle
• Known For: Surrealism, Shocking Pink, Anatomical Motifs, Trompe-l'Œil, Sculptural Haute Couture, Gold Bijoux
• Category Focus: Haute Couture, Ready-to-Wear, Handbags, Shoes, Jewelry, Accessories
Schiaparelli is one of fashion's most influential couture houses, renowned for its Surrealist heritage, sculptural craftsmanship, and fearless fusion of fashion and art. Founded in 1927 by Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli in Paris, the maison revolutionized twentieth-century fashion by transforming ordinary objects, artistic ideas, and the human body into provocative clothing and accessories.
Known for combining Surrealism, trompe-l'œil, anatomical motifs, Shocking Pink, and extraordinary couture craftsmanship, Schiaparelli created historic icons such as the Lobster Dress, Shoe Hat, Skeleton Dress, and Bow Sweater. Today, recurring house codes include eyes, lips, hands, keyholes, gold bijoux, and exaggerated anatomical forms.
Under Creative Director Daniel Roseberry, who joined the maison in 2019, Schiaparelli has become one of contemporary couture's most recognizable houses, translating Elsa's radical spirit into sculptural gowns, surreal accessories, dramatic gold hardware, and headline-making red-carpet fashion.
Lobster Dress
Skeleton Dress
Shoe Hat
Trompe-l'Œil Bow Sweater
Secret Bag
Anatomy Jewelry
Keyhole Collection
Sculptural Haute Couture Gowns
Elsa Schiaparelli founded her maison in Paris in 1927, initially gaining attention through innovative knitwear. Her trompe-l'œil Bow Sweater became an early breakthrough, establishing an unconventional approach that blurred the distinction between clothing and visual art.
During the 1930s, Schiaparelli became one of Paris fashion's great innovators. Her collaborations and relationships with Surrealist artists—including Salvador Dalí—produced extraordinary creations that transformed lobsters, skeletons, body parts, household objects, and visual illusions into fashion. The house closed in 1954, before eventually being revived at its historic 21 Place Vendôme home in 2012.
Key Milestones:
• 1927: Elsa Schiaparelli establishes her fashion house in Paris and introduces the trompe-l'œil Bow Sweater that helps launch her career.
• 1930s: Schiaparelli becomes closely associated with Surrealism and creates groundbreaking fashion through collaborations with artists including Salvador Dalí.
• 1935: Schiaparelli establishes her boutique and ateliers at 21 Place Vendôme, the maison's historic Paris address.
• 1954: Elsa Schiaparelli closes her couture house after nearly three decades of revolutionary fashion.
• 2012: The maison celebrates its revival at 21 Place Vendôme, reconnecting Schiaparelli with its historic home.
• 2019: Daniel Roseberry is appointed Creative Director, beginning the contemporary era that has returned Schiaparelli to the center of global couture.
Schiaparelli continues demonstrating how Surrealism, technical innovation, humor, and exceptional craftsmanship can transform fashion into wearable art.
“Schiaparelli turns Surrealism into spectacular modern couture, blending artistic fantasy, sculptural craftsmanship, and provocative wit with fearless originality.”
Schiaparelli matters because it helped transform fashion from clothing into a legitimate form of artistic expression.
Its influence can be seen across:
• Haute Couture
• Surrealist Fashion
• Fashion as Art
• Red-Carpet Dressing
By combining Elsa Schiaparelli's radical imagination with Daniel Roseberry's sculptural contemporary vision, the maison continues challenging conventional definitions of beauty, craftsmanship, and luxury.
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