Evening dress
Elsa Schiaparelli
ca. 1948 · rayon · Costume Institute
Schiaparelli began her career designing clothes for the active, modern woman, such as trompe l'oeil patterned sweaters, beach pajamas, and bathing suits, advertising as "Schiaparelli Pour Le Sport." Along with her evening wear and tailored suits, she continued to offer these kinds of garments to her clients, including at-home wear. This at-home dress is an example of how Schiaparelli's Surrealist ideas continued into her later career in that the fabric is printed with oval forms that, upon closer examination, look like cookies or perhaps bird eggs. Schiaparelli enjoyed choosing fabrics that featured unconventional motifs. Here, she uses the motifs to create a unique silhouette, drawing the lines up towards the bust, fashioning a flattering look. The cut-in-one sleeves and foldover collar, again constructed with thoughtful consideration of the fabric's pattern, are modern touches that give the ensemble an effortlessness yet chic appearance.
- Artist
- Elsa Schiaparelli
- Date
- ca. 1948
- Medium
- rayon
- 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 Rodman A. Heeren, 1966
