Schiaparelli At The V&A 2026: London’s Blockbuster Fashion Exhibition

For me, fashion design is not a job but an art.” – Elsa Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, at the V&A museum in London, is the first UK exhibition dedicated to Maison Schiaparelli, and is an exciting display of fashion and art. From the 1920s to the present day, it explores the history and influence of one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973). The exhibition traces the evolution of the House – from its first design between the two world wars to its contemporary revival under creative director Daniel Roseberry.

Fashion is Art

Elsa Schiaparelli’s couture house was defined by its boldness. His influence extended beyond fashion. His granddaughter, American actress Marisa Berenson, says “he was not just a designer – he was an artist. Fashion was his livelihood but his soul spoke the language of Surrealism.” He worked at the heart of the European creative avant-garde where he often collaborated with painters, sculptors and artists including some of the visionaries of his time such as Dalí, Cocteau, Giacometti, Man Ray and Picasso.

The exhibition features over 400 items, including 100 ensembles and 50 works of art, as well as accessories, jewellery, paintings, photographs, furniture, perfumes and storage accessories. Highlights include the 1938 Skeleton dress—the only known surviving example from the V&A’s permanent collection—the 1938 Tears dress, and a surreal hat shaped like an upside-down shoe, all created in collaboration with Salvador Dalí. Works by Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, and Eileen Agar are also on display, along with Schiaparelli’s designs for film and theater. The show concludes with a stunning modern creation by Daniel Roseberry, including pieces worn by Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa.

Show in four chapters

“Designing The Modern Wardrobe” presents the work of Elsa Schiaparelli, from the time she opened her first store in Paris in 1927 under the brand “Schiaparelli. Pour Le Sport” until 1934, as the leading designer of modern urban women. One of Schiaparelli’s first dresses – a trompe l’oeil bow-knot sweater from 1927, donated to the V&A by the designer, is on display in this section. Also here are examples of her practical daywear, “Pour la Ville,” including pantsuits (rare for women at the time) as well as well-tailored dress suits. Highlights of her daring evening wear, “Pour le Soir,” include a glittering gold gown with a lace trim and a dinner suit with embroidered circus horses. Her accessories were equally imaginative, whether it was hats shaped like braided hair or shoes with stripes or leopard fur.

The second part of the exhibition, “Constellations of Creation” highlights Schiaparelli’s close relationship with the art world. In Paris, he collaborated with surrealists and avant-garde designers, mixing fashion with painting, sculpture and literature. Original works on display include the 1937 Lobster Dress displayed next to Salvador Dalí’s Lobster Phone (1938), and an evening dress by Schiaparelli and Jean Cocteau decorated with mirrored faces and pink silk roses, accompanied by Cocteau’s portraits. Schiaparelli also commissioned artists for advertisements and store designs and paintings inspired by Man Ray and Cecil Beaton.

“Beyond Paris” covers the opening of her London salon in 1933 in Mayfair from 1933 to 1939 and shows Schiaparelli’s rare London pieces, including a gold-embroidered velvet suit, dress and coat worn to the coronation of King George VI in 1937. She called this period “the happiest years”. [her] life.” Also on display is the only Schiaparelli wedding dress, worn by London’s Rosalinde Gilbert. His international reputation expanded in the 1930s and 1950s, when he designed costumes for British, French and American stage and film productions. Mae West dress inside Everyday is a Holiday (1937) is here along with pieces worn by Marlene Dietrich, who loved her tailored trouser suits.

The House of Schiaparelli Today

The last part of the exhibition “The Golden Path” highlights the long-term influence of Elsa Schiaparelli, conveyed by the creative director Daniel Roseberry. Since 2019, he has revived this House with sculpted, couture-driven designs. Recent highlights of this trend were the glittering dress that Ariana Grande wore for her 2025 Oscar performance, as well as Dua Lipa’s modern black and gold skeleton dress for the 2024 Golden Globes. The piece shows how past and present come together, keeping Schiaparelli’s visionary spirit alive today.

Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL until 8 November 2026. Admission: Week £28.00 / Weekend £30.00