Suit

Elsa Schiaparelli|House of Schiaparelli

fall 1938 · rayon, plastic (cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate) · Costume Institute

Schiaparelli chose realistic beetles and other insects to decorate jewelry, buttons, and suit collars for her fall 1938 nature-based "Pagan" collection. The collection referenced the lush imagery of flora and fauna and mythological figures represented in the two great paintings by Florentine artist Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510), "The Birth of Venus" (1485) and "Primavera" (1485). The vividly printed rayon crepe and translucent blue plastic buttons are statements of Schiaparelli's preference for manmade rather than natural materials.

Artist

Elsa Schiaparelli|House of Schiaparelli

Date

fall 1938

Medium

rayon, plastic (cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate)

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. J.R. Keagy, 1974