This is certainly one of the most playful fashion exhibitions that the museum has put on show.
It has been a long time since I have had so much fun going around an exhibition that is filled with so much detail and artistry to showcase the work of fashion house Schiaparelli.
Through her work, Elsa Schiaparelli really embraced surrealism, often collaborating with artists such as Cocteau and Dalí to create wonderful pieces that are just as much art as they are about being worn. There is so much playfulness in the pieces from her circus collection – in which the buttons themselves are very much an important part: on one jacket for example acrobats are used. There are so many other examples that show the playful quality of her work, which is still still influences creative director Daniel Roseberry’s work for the fashion house that is also on display here and complements Elsa Schiaparelli’s work well.
It is clear that curators have had a wonderful time in putting this exhibition together as there are plenty of surprises along the way in terms of how each of the pieces are displayed. The softness of the lighting then beaming through at the right moment to dazzle the viewer.
Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art does have a feel of Alice in Wonderland about it – which makes it fun to explore. Whether it is a shoe hat or the way in which Dalí’s lobster telephone is displayed with a dress that Schiaparelli designed with a lobster on it worn by Wallis Simpson, or a section filled with dazzling jackets and a selection of buttons there is much to be enjoyed.
While Elsa Schiaparelli didn’t have any formal training, what is clear to see through every piece that she created there is a real sense of artistry of what she created and how she very quickly made a name for herself. Beginning sportswear before moving to every day wear and then couture, she was extremely diverse in what she created – as well as in the materials that she used.
There are some wonderful fabrics and textiles on display as well that reveal just how forward thinking she was. There is a real boldness to the way in which she worked that feels refreshing to this day. It really is an exhibition that has to be seen to be believed.
For those who are hoping to find out more about the designer herself, she remains in many ways a bit of an enigma so you would have to do your research into her afterwards and some of the pieces of information included do tend to repeat themselves. Yet it does feel like a true celebration of how uniques as a designer she was.
There are glamorous evening gowns on display and outfits worn by the likes of Marlene Dietrich and Mae West for example as well as more casual wear. There are plenty of outfits that I wouldn’t have minded to try on. The only section that I didn’t see was necessary was focused on the perfume (although the range and designs of the bottles were impressive) which didn’t add much to the overall theme.
Bold, adventurous and classy, Schiaparelli:Fashion Performs Art is a wonderful exhibition celebrating how fashion and art can truly come together.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art is on display until the 8th November.