Schiaparelli and the Artists

Published on the occasion of the couture house’s ninetieth anniversary, this book celebrates Elsa Schiaparelli’s shared creative passion with the twentieth century’s most esteemed artists.

Known for her bravado and boundary-pushing dresses, Elsa Schiaparelli is undoubtedly one of the greatest icons of twentieth-century fashion. After launching her eponymous haute couture house in Paris in 1927, the Roman-born designer captured the attention of the world at large not only thanks to her trompe l’oeil patterns and surrealist forms—but also because of her creative relationships with some of the epoch’s most renowned artists.

From Salvador Dalí, who collaborated with Schiaparelli on her infamous Lobster Dress to Alberto Giacometti’s furnishings for her salon and René Magritte, whose surrealist works inspired some of the designer’s creations, this beautifully illustrated tome delves into the couturiere’s fascinating rapports with these artistic legends. Through never-before-seen photography, intimate anecdotes, and essays penned by some of today’s most authoritative fashion critics, curators, and personalities, this volume is the first definitive work dedicated to the shared inspiration between the designer and her circle of artist friends.

Unique in its breadth of artwork and diverse contributors, this visually stunning book is a must for anyone interested in avant-garde art, twentieth-century fashion, or thought-provoking design.

About the Contributors

Hamish Bowles is the International Editor at Large for Vogue, and recognized as one of the most respected authorities on fashion and interior design. In addition to collecting and amassing an extensive private collection of historic haute couture, Bowles has curated numerous exhibitions, including Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years (2001); Balenciaga: Spanish Master (2010); and Balenciaga and Spain (2011), and has also written countless articles, reviews, and books, including: Vogue: The Covers (2011); Vogue: The Editor’s Eye (2012); Vogue Weddings: Brides, Dresses, Designers (2012); and Vogue and The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute: Parties, Exhibitions, & People (2014).

Donald Albrecht is an American curator specializing in design and architecture. He’s curated exhibitions such as Paris/New York: Design Fashion Culture, 1925–1940 for the Museum of the City of New York and New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design for the National Building Museum. He has worked with famous designers like Andrée Putman and Michael Gabellini. He teaches architecture at the American Academy.

André Léon Talley is an esteemed fashion authority, author, and contributing editor at Vogue.

Dawn Ades is Professor Emeritus of art history at Oxford University. She has additionally collaborated on exhibitions in London and Venice, including the exhibition celebrating Salvador Dalí’s centennial at the Palazzo Grassi.

Dilys Blum is a curator of costume and textiles at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Justine Picardie is a British author who wrote the bestselling 2011 biography of Coco Chanel, Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life. She is the editor in chief of British Harper’s Bazaar and British Town and Country.

Angelo Flaccavento is an Italian fashion journalist whose work has appeared in Vogue and Business of Fashion, among others.

Suzy Menkes is a British journalist and fashion critic.

Christian Lacroix is a French fashion designer and founder of his eponymous label.