Elsa Schiaparelli – The Fusion of Surrealism and Fashion

Throughout history, many fashion icons have shaped the popular styles of their time, leaving a lasting impact on the world of fashion and beauty. While some are well-known figures you’ve probably heard of and admired, others remain lesser-known yet equally influential.

One of our favorite fashion trailblazers from the past is Elsa Schiaparelli. If you’re not familiar with this remarkable figure, a peer and competitor of Coco Chanel, keep reading to find a new style inspiration.

**Her Beginnings**
Elsa Schiaparelli was born in 1890 in the picturesque city of Rome. She didn’t have a classic “rags to riches” story; rather, she was born to an aristocratic mother and a scholarly father. As a young woman, she studied philosophy at the University of Rome and even published a book of poetry called “Arethusa.” The poems were so controversial to her conservative parents that they sent her to a convent. Schiaparelli, however, was not deterred; she soon left the convent and returned home, opting for more ambitious pursuits than poetry. Her career began with a short stint as a nanny in London before she embarked on her journey as a fashion innovator.

**A New Path**
With a fiercely independent spirit, Schiaparelli refused to return to the sheltered life her parents envisioned for her in Rome. Neither was she willing to marry an unsuitable partner and settle into an ordinary life as a housewife. Her adventures took her to New York, where she worked as a translator. Eventually, she settled in Paris and opened her couture house in the late 1920s. By the mid-1930s, she had become a global fashion leader, often overshadowing Coco Chanel in Parisian fashion circles. While Chanel was known for her chic and minimalist style, Schiaparelli was recognized for her bold, colorful, and attention-grabbing designs. It’s no wonder Chanel was famously envious of the spirited Italian.

**Embracing Surrealism**
Schiaparelli was profoundly influenced by her contemporaries and collaborators like Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau. The surrealist influence in her work is evident in her designs that have survived to the present day. Though she adhered to traditional frameworks, she challenged conventional expectations about clothing. Schiaparelli infused her designs with unique details and innovative materials, such as a simple black sweater with a white bow, subtly reimagining classic styles. Her collaborations with Cocteau led to even more whimsical designs. Schiaparelli was not just creating clothes; she was making a bold statement and setting new trends in beauty.

**The Birth of Shocking Pink**
During World War II, Schiaparelli, affectionately known as “Schiap,” temporarily relocated to New York. She ventured into new arenas, including swimsuits, beauty products, and perfumes. In New York, she mingled with stars of the day like Mae West and Zsa Zsa Gabor, who inspired some of her stunning creations. Schiaparelli’s most noteworthy contribution to today’s fashion was the introduction of a vibrant new color—shocking pink. This became her trademark shade, strikingly different from the subdued tones popular at the time. In 1952, Zsa Zsa Gabor wore this bold hue in “Moulin Rouge,” capturing mainstream attention where it has remained ever since.

**Schiaparelli’s Legacy**
Since Elsa Schiaparelli’s passing in 1973, beauty and fashion trends have evolved significantly. Many of her once-shocking designs are now considered playful yet common. What seemed peculiar in the 1930s, like a telephone-shaped handbag, doesn’t seem so unusual today. While Chanel is celebrated for timeless classics, fashion enthusiasts with a taste for the unusual owe much to Schiaparelli’s daring innovations. Today’s creative style icons, such as Lady Gaga, and extravagant fashion events like the Met Gala draw significant inspiration from Schiaparelli’s surrealist creations and fearless embrace of unique style.

Do you recognize Elsa Schiaparelli’s influence in current trends or even in your personal style?