Paris’s Musée des Arts Décoratifs is preparing to honor the influential work of fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli with a major exhibition titled “Shocking Chic – The Surrealist Worlds of Elsa Schiaparelli.” This highly anticipated event will take place from July 6, 2022, to January 22, 2023, and will showcase the avant-garde and audacious spirit of the renowned designer.
Renowned for her ability to merge art and fashion, Schiaparelli’s visionary designs continue to inspire and captivate audiences. The exhibition will not only delve into Schiaparelli’s collaborations with the art world but also explore her limitless imagination in reinventing traditional notions of womanhood and allure. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to discover or rediscover Schiaparelli’s iconic creation, ‘Shocking Pink’, which has become a color synonymous with her legacy.
Throughout her illustrious career, Elsa Schiaparelli was not only recognized as a talented designer but also celebrated as an artist by her peers. Influential figures such as Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, Jean-Michel Frank, Salvador Dalí, and Marlene Dietrich all admired her distinctive vision and artistic approach. The exhibition will feature some of Schiaparelli’s most notable collaborations and provocative, surreal-inspired pieces, underscoring the inseparable bond between her work and the world of art.
The retrospective will also pay homage to Schiaparelli’s visionary and delightfully humorous spirit. Visitors will have the opportunity to behold a wide array of evening gowns, elegant casual wear, jewelry, accessories, and perfumes, showcasing the breadth of the designer’s talent. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs describes Elsa Schiaparelli as personifying “a vision of a dazzling and vibrant Paris, curious about everything, relishing in each new thing.” This sentiment of freedom and curiosity will be the central theme of the exhibition, highlighting the designer’s belief in the freedom to create, communicate, and embrace one’s true self.
“Shocking Chic – The Surrealist Worlds of Elsa Schiaparelli” will open its doors on July 6, enabling visitors to immerse themselves in the creative universe of one of fashion’s most extraordinary and influential figures.
Useful Links:
1. Official Exhibition Website
2. Vogue Article on Exhibition
