Schiap what you’re doing! London’s V&A musuem just announced that its next major fashion exhibition will be all about the life and work of legendary couturier, Elsa Schiaparelli. Titled Schiaparelli: Life Becomes Art and set to open in March 2026, it marks the first time a major UK exhibition has been dedicated to the designer.
The exhibition will span the past, present and future of the house, which was founded in Paris in 1927 by the Italian designer. It will feature over 200 items that examine Schiaparelli’s relationship with the art world, including works by Picasso, Man Ray and the designer’s surrealist ‘Sketelon’ and ‘Tears’ gowns, made in collaboration with Salvador Dalí. It will also include interpretations of Schiaparelli’s vision, including works by current creative director Daniel Roseberry (who just showed his most recent couture show in Paris on Monday).
Born in Rome in 1890, Schiaparelli moved to Paris following the First World War, where she was encouraged by the great couturier himself, Paul Poiret, to start her own business. Of course, Paris during the 1920s was a watering hole for creatives, and Schiap (as she was known to them) had close ties to the surrealist group – painter Leonor Fini even designed the now iconic ‘Shocking’ perfume bottle, famously based on Mae West’s figure.
In 1937, Schiaparelli asked Salvador Dalí to paint a red lobster onto a silk, off-white evening dress (a year after the surrealist had debuted his famous Lobster Telephone). The dress became a symbol of sexual empowerment and was worn by Wallis Simpson ahead of her marriage to Edward VIII. Dalí and Schiaparelli continued their work together by creating the famous shoe hat and the skeleton dress – the latter of which will be included in the upcoming exhibition. Throughout his work at the house, Roseberry has continuously referenced the relationship between Elsa and the surrealists. This includes his most recent show during Paris couture week, which featured Dalí-inspired detailing and some pretty surreal silhouettes too.
The news comes less than one month since the V&A announced another major upcoming exhibition, Marie Antoinette Style, which is due to open in September this year.
Scroll through the gallery above to see Schiaparelli’s most recent couture collection