This week I'm taking you back in time to the 1930's.
ELSA SCHIAPARELLI
Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli was a large influential figure in fashion between the two world wars. Schiaparelli's vision and creations still influence the style of popular figures and designers of today. Schiaparelli had a lot of 'firsts' in the industry, but is not as well known as her rival Coco Chanel because of the failure of her business. This is great pity as she brought a lot of change. She was the first designer to use brightly coloured zips and zips that were dyed to match the colour of the clothing. Also being the first to introduce different shapes, animals or insects to the form of a button. Schiaparelli was well known for her unusual prints of food or objects on to her garments, for example the 'Lobster Dress'.
Lobster Dress - 1937
Her innovative thinking, which was way before its time, was put into collaboration with another innovative thinker, the famous surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. Together they came up with her most outrageous work; the 'Skeleton Dress' and the 'Shoe Hat'. These are two of my favourites, especially the 'Shoe Hat' as I'm really starting to get quite a fetish for headwear.
Shoe Hat - 1937
Absolute favourite! I would consider 're-creating' one but I don't quite believe in re-creations as I think it's just another word for 'Knock Off'. However I did find a hat similar to Schiaparelli's in one of my favourite films; Brazil (1985), worn by the ever changing face of Mrs. Lowry..
Brazil (1985)
This just goes to show that although she isn't nearly as critically acclaimed as former rival Coco Chanel, she sure has and will influence the fashion industry in years to come.
J'adore
Pip Alexander x
cool! x
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