Shocking: The Surreal World of Elsa Schiaparelli, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris

Elsa Schiaparelli, Details of the “Phoebus” Cloak, Winter 1937-1938

Wool, silk and embroidery. Musée des Arts décElsa Schiaparelli, Details of the “Phoebus” Cloak, Winter 1937-1938

© Valérie Belin

Though born at the close of the 19th century the Italian couturière Elsa Schiaparelli embodied 20th century modernity. In the years between the wars Schiaparelli thrilled the fashion world with her sophisticated, feminine, and often eccentric designs – many inspired by the Surrealist aesthetic – introducing innovative patterns and materials in transparent plastics, crawfish-shaped buttons, “drawer pockets,” and lobsters.

Nearly 20 years since their last retrospective devoted to Elsa Schiaparelli, beginning July 6th, 2022, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris revisits the extraordinary designer's work. The retrospective brings together 520 works including dresses and accessories by Schiaparelli herself, displayed alongside iconic paintings, sculptures, jewelry, perfumes, ceramics, posters, and photographs by the likes of Schiaparelli's friends and collaborators: Man Ray, Salvador Dalí, Jean Cocteau, Meret Oppenheim and Elsa Triolet.

Shocking: The Surreal World of Elsa Schiaparelli opens July 6 and runs through January 22, 2023. A limited number of English language guided tours are available.

For more information visit MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS