Here’s everything you need to know about the UK’s first Schiaparelli exhibition at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum.
The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London opened the first Schiaparelli retrospective in the UK on March 28. Titled “Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art,” the exhibition is a visual journey through one of fashion and art’s most emblematic maisons: Schiaparelli, founded by Italian surrealist icon Elsa Schiaparelli.
A dialogue between past and present, the curatorial work revisits Schiaparelli’s history, from its origins at the convergence of surrealism and couture to its revival and present-day influence.
Reintroducing a Surrealist Icon
“Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art” arrived at V&A South Kensington in late March, showcasing more than 400 objects related to Elsa Schiaparelli’s revolutionary namesake brand. From original clothing pieces by Schiaparelli herself to artwork by surrealist artists such as Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau, the exhibit reinforces Elsa Schiaparelli’s role as a watershed figure in fashion and the arts.
Featuring new research by curators across industries, the display at V&A (Schiaparelli’s first in the UK) presents the brand as an example of female entrepreneurship, innovation and lasting influence.
“Elsa Schiaparelli’s fearless imagination and radical vision redefined the boundaries between fashion and art. This exhibition celebrates her enduring influence through iconic collaborations with 20th-century masters and a pioneering fusion of creativity and commerce,” said Delphine Bellini, CEO of Schiaparelli. “The Victoria and Albert Museum offers the perfect setting to showcase her legacy alongside Daniel Roseberry’s creations, which carry her surrealist spirit forward, blurring lines with bold, sculptural designs that both honour and reinvent her vision for a new century.”
Schiaparelli in Four Chapters
The first section of the exhibition recaps the origins of Schiaparelli, offering a glimpse into the artist’s first Paris shop, “Schiaparelli. Pour Le Sport” at 4 rue de la Paix. It also showcases the evolution of Schiaparelli’s offerings, from everyday sporty garments to practical daywear, couture-leaning creations and accessories. Highlights of this section include eveningwear from the “Pour le Soir” collections and items such as leopard-fur shoes and plaited hair hats.
In the next segment, titled “Creative Constellations,” the exhibition ties Schiaparelli’s art roots to fashion. Her connections to surrealist artists and writers take center stage through shared work and creative dialogues between fashion and art.
Salvador Dalí’s famous Lobster Telephone is on display right next to Schiaparelli’s fashion response: an ivory dress with an oversized lobster print and matching corseted belt.
The chapter also showcases illustrations by the French surrealist Jean Cocteau for Schiaparelli and shared multidisciplinary work. The famous evening coat with Cocteau’s signature mirrored profiles and trompe-l’œil effect reflects Schiaparelli’s ability to merge surrealist art, showmanship and extravagance with streamlined and practical silhouettes.
Meanwhile, artworks commissioned by Schiaparelli for her shop, including designs by Man Ray and Cecil Beaton, demonstrate the designer’s genuine interest in art and her central role in the European art scene.
Beyond Paris
The third chapter is dedicated to Schiaparelli’s expansion beyond the brand’s original headquarters in Paris. In this portion, the museum highlights Elsa Schiaparelli’s business-savvy moves toward internationalization, from the opening of her London salon in Mayfair to her involvement in outfit design for British, French and US productions.
Costumes created for Every Day’s a Holiday (1937) and pieces for performers such as Marlene Dietrich are standouts of this section.
In the last part, the exhibition merges past and present, showcasing Elsa Schiaparelli’s lasting influence in her namesake brand, now helmed by US designer Daniel Roseberry. The section features recognizable moments from recent collections and runways, as well as collaborations with pop culture icons. Gowns worn by Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa on the red carpets and stages of award ceremonies like the Oscars and the Golden Globes illustrate Schiaparelli’s current cultural standing and unwavering craftsmanship.
The walkthrough ultimately encapsulates Elsa Schiaparelli’s legacy as one of fashion’s most revolutionary women and invites people to rethink fashion as art and recognize its role in contemporary culture.
Visit “Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art”
The “Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art” exhibition will be open until Sunday, 8 November 2026, at the V&A South Kensington at Cromwell Road, London. The museum recommends booking in advance if you plan to visit, especially on weekends.
Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 17:45 pm
Address: V&A South Kensington. Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL – The Sainsbury Gallery
Tickets: Weekday £28.00 / Weekend £30.00
