Black chiné Elsa Schiaparelli 1940's skirt -suit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 25.6 in (65 cm)Marked Size: 36 (EU)Bust: 33.08 in (84 cm)Waist: 29.93 in (76 cm)Hip: 36.23 in (92 cm)
- Style:1940 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Jacket's back width = 38 cm arm lenght = 60 cm Skirt measures : waist: 68 cm hips : 90 cm lenght : 72 cm.
- Seller Location:Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
- Reference Number:
Elsa Schiaparelli
From her signature color Shocking Pink to her collaborations with Surrealist artists, the boldly original Elsa Schiaparelli transformed fashion with her haute couture house from the late 1920s to the early ’50s. Experimenting with elements like trompe l’oeil images and colorful visible zippers, the Italian designer instilled a provocative avant-garde artistry in her clothing and accessories, including those created with Salvador Dalí, such as the lobster dress and a hat shaped like a shoe.
Born in Rome, Schiaparelli was a rebellious child who grew up among the city’s intellectual elite. She had a voracious appetite for reading and became interested in ancient cultures, astronomy and world religions. Schiaparelli studied philosophy at the University of Rome, and after publishing a collection of poems on love and sensuality that so mortified her conservative parents that they tried, unsuccessfully, to confine her to a Swiss convent, she left for London.
A quick marriage to Count Wilhelm de Wendt de Kerlor brought her to New York, but it would be in Paris following her divorce that Schiaparelli embraced her artistic passions. She moved to the French capital city in 1922 with her young daughter and happened to meet master couturier Paul Poiret, who loaned the stylish Schiaparelli his clothes, sparking her own fashion interests.
Schiaparelli opened her modest atelier in Paris and debuted her first collection of knitwear in 1927, and later that year, she designed a black-and-white pullover hand-knit wool sweater featuring a trompe l’oeil bowknot that captured the attention of the fashion world. Vogue called it “an artistic masterpiece.” The success led to her moving her house to 21 Place Vendôme in 1935 where thousands of garments were produced each year.
Schiaparelli’s knitwear collections were later accompanied by revolutionary swimsuits and other clothing and accessories. Her inventive designs would include culottes — a radical statement in the 1930s when women still could cause a scandal by wearing pants — as well as printed fabric, such as the 1938 Tears dress with a print designed by Dalí making it appear as if the evening gown had been savagely ripped.
Schiaparelli was among the first designers to use materials like rayon and Lurex as well as explore wrap dresses and transparent raincoats. She also introduced unisex fragrances and brought her artistic partnerships into jewelry, such as bronze brooches made with Alberto Giacometti and fur-lined bracelets with Méret Oppenheim. As she wrote in her 1954 autobiography Shocking Life, women should “dare to be different.”
Despite her acclaim, her shop closed in 1954 after a tumultuous time during World War II. By then, fashion had moved on with Christian Dior's New Look, and the closure of Schiaparelli's business coincided with a comeback mounted by Coco Chanel, her archrival in the early days.
In 2006, Italian businessman Diego Della Valle acquired the brand and its archives, and the Maison Schiaparelli was reopened in 2012, back at 21 Place Vendôme where Schiaparelli's fearless and enduring work began.
Find vintage Elsa Schiaparelli hats, evening dresses and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Anthracite striped wool and cotton double-breasted skirt suit Studio FerréBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRAnthracite striped wool and cotton double-breasted skirt suit. Fabric composition: 77% wool, 23% cotton.Lining: 63% acetate, 37% cupro. Shoulder pads. Pockets on both side on the j...Category
1980s Italian Skirt Suits
- Navy and red cardigan and silk pleated skirt ensemble Adolfo New-YorkBy AdolfoLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRNavy and red cardigan and silk pleated skirt ensemble. Knit cardigan: cotton and stretch. Skirt: pleated silk jacquard with silk lining. Fabric flower o...Category
1970s American Skirt Suits
- Black sun-pleat jacket and evening dress ensemble Just CavalliBy Just CavalliLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack sun-pleat jacket and evening dress ensemble with rhinestone cabochon embellishment . Main fabric: 100% polyester. Final touches : 95% silk, 5% elastane Zip on the left side o...Category
2010s Chinese Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Black skirt suit with silver studs and black leather collar MuglerBy MuglerLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack skirt suit with silver studs and black leather collar. Main fabric composition: 54% polyester, 46% Spandex. Branded zip puller. Lining: 100% polyester SIZE 38 (Fr) 8 (Us)Category
Early 2000s European Skirt Suits
- Black wool knit skirt-suit with edge to edge jacket AlaÏaBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack wool knit skirt-suit with edge to edge jacket and top-stitched collar and pocket-flap. SIZE 38 (M)Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Top and skirt ensemble with playing card print Louis FéraudBy Louis FeraudLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRTop and skirt ensemble with playing card print. Top and skirt ensemble with playing card print. Fabric composition: polyester. Lining ( only inside skirt) = acetate One button on th...Category
1980s German Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Patrick Kelly Early 1980's B&W Skirt Suit with CorsetBy Patrick KellyLocated in New York, NYPatrick Kelly Early 1980's B&W Skirt Suit with Corset. This is a super fun three-piece skirt suit in a black and white leopard print pattern. This set is fearlessly bold, reminiscent...Category
1980s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Claude Montana Pant SuitBy Claude MontanaLocated in Los Angeles, CACharcoal grey pant suit. Woven leather trim. Belted. Shoulder pads. Side zipper on pants. Lined. Made in Italy. *Condition: Excellent vintage conditio...Category
1980s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1970s Maggie Reeves Demi Couture Navy Blue Velvet and Silk 3 pc. EnsembleBy Maggie ReevesLocated in Toronto, Ontario1970s three piece navy blue ensemble by Canadian demi couture designer Maggie Reeves. Velvet blazer with a silk lapels, embellished rhinestone button details and matching single butt...Category
1970s Canadian Skirt Suits
- Early Alexander McQueen Joan of Arc 1998 AW98 Runway Catwalk Dress Suit CostumeBy Alexander McQueenLocated in PARIS, FRIconic Alexander McQueen runway suit from Joan of Arc autumn winter 1998 Collection! Piece of art! Wonderful silhouette! Red McQueen Silk lining Bottons on the sleeves Shoulder pads 2 pockets The show was inspired by Joan of Arc who led the French army to victory in a battle against the English in the 15th century. She was later captured, found guilty of heresy and burned at the stake...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1980s Roberto Cavalli Textured Leather & Lace Crystal Embellished JumpsuitBy Roberto CavalliLocated in TARRAGONA, ESRoberto Cavalli vintage 1980s leather jumpsuit of a dramatic hourglass silhouette, with a low-cut back and sleek rhinestone embellishments. Fashioned in lightweight fine leather with...Category
1980s Italian Jumpsuits
- Margiela brown tweed wool pant suit with matching saddle bag, fw 1998By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GBMartin Margiela; brown tweed wool pant suit with matching saddle bag. Fall-Winter 1998Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Saw It at the Met Ball. Here’s What Camp Fashion Is Really About
This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.
The Met’s Latest Blockbuster Tells a Powerful Story through 230 Jewels
A captivating show at the Manhattan museum explores how jewelry has ornamented the body through the millennia — and redefines it as high art.