A First Look At The New Schiaparelli Exhibition At The V&A Museum
The wait is finally over. This weekend marks the opening of one of London’s most highly anticipated exhibitions, Schiaparelli: When Fashion Becomes Art at the V&A Museum. Brimming with opulence, grandeur, and nods to artistic greats like Salvador Dalí, this sprawling showcase of the fashion house’s most iconic silhouettes is nothing short of a glittering spectacle. Here is a glimpse of what to expect ahead of your visit:
What to expect
This new exhibition marks the UK’s first on Elsa Schiaparelli and spans over 100 years of the designer’s life and influence. It traces the fashion house’s groundbreaking origins and evolution under its current creative director, Daniel Roseberry.
The impressive showcase features over 200 objects, combining high fashion with fine art, photography, and archival treasures. Beyond displaying some of Schiaparelli’s most iconic pieces, notably both the Skeleton and Tears dresses, the exhibition also showcases works from Elsa’s collaborators, namely, Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Man Ray.
The sprawling display of couture gowns is mesmerising, as the exhibition tracks Elsa’s early works from the 1930s, through to modern-day masterpieces crafted under the creative directorship of Daniel Roseberry.
The sprawling display of couture gowns is mesmerising, as the exhibiton traces over 100 years of Elsa Schiaparelli’s work and the fashion house’s influence.
Beyond the dresses, visitors are also invited to explore an expansive collection of accessories spanning silk gloves, eccentric gold jewellery and statement bags featuring Schiaparelli’s famous padlock symbol.
I have been eagerly anticipating this exhibition since it was first announced last year, and am happy to say that it surpassed all my expectations. From seeing some of the fashion house’s most iconic pieces in the flesh to discovering new gowns adorned with gold emblems this is a must-visit for all art and fashion lovers.
Amelia, Culture & Lifestyle Writer/Creator
Schiaparelli’s iconic gowns on display
While it’s tempting to head straight for Schiaparelli’s most iconic pieces, like the gilded lung dress made famous by Bella Hadid at Cannes Film Festival, and the feathered white key whole gown previously worn by Dua Lipa at the fashion house’s Paris couture show, these looks are merely the tip of the iceberg. As you venture further, the exhibition unravels into a much deeper, more intricate story of the house’s legacy and greatness.
The standout detail for me was how original the designs were going all the way back to the 1930s – true pionerring in womenswear.
Kitty, Social Media Manager & Content Creator
Pieces to look out for
Among some of my personal favourite pieces to keep an eye out for is the Body Bijoux ensemble, which features intricate astronomical symbols that orbit around a gold-clad dress. Created by Daniel Roseberry for the 2022 Spring/Summer collection, the piece features leather and resin emblems of doves, padlocks and lobsters, drawing upon Schiaparelli’s ties to Salvador Dalí.
The display of gowns worn by the likes of Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa at the end of the exhibit is also breathtaking, as visitors are allowed to take a closer look at some of the dresses shaping the red carpet today.
The display of gowns worn by the likes of Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa allows visitors to take a closer look at the dresses shaping the red carpet today.
Plan your visit
The exhibition is running at the V&A museum from 28th March to 8th November 2026.
It is being held in the Sainsbury Gallery from this Saturday onwards, with ticket prices starting at £28. You can book tickets via the V&A Museum’s official website.
Where: V&A South KensingtonCromwell Road
London, SW7 2RL
Book here: www.V&A.com
