the return of schiaparelli

Much to my delight, Schiaparelli is experiencing a bit of a revival! Designer Christian Lacroix is set to debut a 15-piece capsule collection during Paris' Couture Week in July. Better yet, the collection will be shown in the newly renovated salons of 21 Place Vendôme, the building which housed Elsa’s original studio (!!). I’m loving the space’s shocking pink silk tufted sofa and its Pierre Le-Tan mural. The works of Picasso and Cocteau reportedly adorn the walls; Schiap would have loved. Post Lacroix, more Schiaparelli collaborations are to come though the brand has remained very tight-lipped about exactly who is involved. Waiting with bated breath to find out what they’ll do next!   

on this day in history...

1937:
Wallace H. Carothers receives a
United States Patent for nylon.  

(Shiaparelli stockings via the Met)

chez schiaparelli

WWD announced in late August that the Costume Institute’s next exhibit is to focus on the work of Italian designers Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada. If the Institute’s recent "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" show is any indication, this exhibit is sure to be one for the books! Ms. Schiaparelli is a favorite fashion icon of mine... In addition to devouring any and all books written by/about the woman, I’ve clocked in an embarrassing number of hours googling her. These photos taken by Life of her Paris maison are my most recent find - I only wish that they were in color! Even so, the shots are incredible + so full of detail (notice her little dog in the bottom left corner of image #2?). Oh, Elsa, you were truly one-of-a-kind :) 

on this day in history...

1890:
Legendary Italian couturier Elsa Schiaparelli
was born in Rome’s Pallazo Corsini.

(image)