Suit

Elsa Schiaparelli

summer 1937 · wool, plastic (cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate) · Costume Institute

This beautifully tailored suit, worn by fashion icon Millicent Rogers, seems simple at first glance, then the signature Schiaparelli elements of trompe l'oeil, plastic zippers and unusual buttons catch the eye. She employs a contrasting red plastic zipper on the skirt, drawing the eye to the body, and adding a bit of playfulness. Schiaparelli's involvement with and interest in Surrealist art was often translated into her designs as trompe l'oeil elements, such as the pockets on this jacket. The self tabs on the jacket seem to be ties that have fallen open but are in fact stitched down and act as pockets. She also worked with artists Jean Clement and Roger Jean-Pierre to execute her intriguing, somewhat curious, button designs. The buttons used here are in the shape of flags, perhaps a comment on the European politics of the time.

Artist

Elsa Schiaparelli

Date

summer 1937

Medium

wool, plastic (cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate)

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Millicent Huttleston Rogers, 1951