September 10, 1890 - November 13, 1973
Life:
- Born in Rome, Italy
- Studied philosophy at the University of Rome
- First got attention with her sweater design which featured a tromp l'oi scarf around the neckline. The sweater was ordered by Lord & Taylor and featured in Vogue magazine.
- Schiaparelli was the first to use synthetic materials like rayon jersey and cellophane in couture.
- Schiaparelli regarded fashion as an art form and dresses and collaborated with many of her friends in the Parisian avant garde art scene.
- Responsible for costuming of thirty movies such as Pygmalion, Every Day's a Holiday, Jump for Glory, and The Beloved Vagabond
Important Designs:
- Scarf neck sweater, 1927
- Wrap dress, 1930
- Glass cape, 1934, made of Rhodophane
- Lamb chop hat
- Shoe hat, 1937 (collaboration with Salvador Dalí)
- The "divided skirt", a precursor to shorts, similar to culottes
- Lobster print dress, 1937 (collaboration with Salvador Dalí)
- Reversible black/white gown
- Visable zippers and zippers as embelishment
- Use of whimsical buttons (tamborine, hands, vegetables, etc.)
Friends and Collaborators:
- Salvador Dalí
- Man Ray
- Jean Cocteau
- Alberto Giacometti
- Marcel Duchamp
- Alfred Stieglitz
Clients:
- Daisy Fellowes
- Gala Dali
- Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson
- Mae West