Vest

Elsa Schiaparelli

1937–38 · linen, silk, wool, plastic · Costume Institute

A hallmark of Schiaparelli's design sensibility is her use of interesting, often whimsical closures. The gumdrop-shaped buttons on this lively vest, owned by style connoisseur Millicent Rogers, are a striking example of this habit and a playful addition to a couture garment. The choice of candy as a button is characteristic of Schiaparelli's surreal sensibilities, as if she's tempting one to pluck one off the vest and into one's mouth, just to see if it’s real. The embroidered pattern is also an interesting choice, inspired by colorful Eastern European folk dress.

Artist

Elsa Schiaparelli

Date

1937–38

Medium

linen, silk, wool, plastic

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 Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos, 1954