The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London opened “Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art” March 28 through Nov. 8, 2026, tracing founder Elsa Schiaparelli’s influence from the 1920s to today and connecting surrealist art with haute couture.
Schiaparelli retrospective opens in the United Kingdom for the first time
The Sainsbury Gallery at the V&A presents more than 400 objects: 100 garments and 50 works of art, plus accessories, jewelry, paintings, photographs, furniture, perfume, and archival material. Highlights include the 1938 “Skeleton” dress created in collaboration with Salvador Dalí, the Tears dress, a hat shaped like an upside down shoe, and contemporary red carpet gowns by Daniel Roseberry worn by artists such as Dua Lipa and Ariana Grande.
Four sections highlight craftsmanship and innovation
The exhibition is organized in four sections that demonstrate Schiaparelli’s craftsmanship and innovation. It opens with “Designing the Modern Wardrobe,” which outlines her career and ranges from practical daywear to evening wear. One of her early works, a 1927 trompe l’oeil knitted bow sweater, is displayed as the opening piece.
The second section, “Creative Constellations,” explores Schiaparelli’s legendary collaborations with surrealist masters of the 1920s and 1930s. “Beyond Paris” examines her 1933 salon in Mayfair, London, and her costume work for theater and film in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States from the 1930s through the 1950s.
The final section, “A Golden Thread,” brings the house’s legacy into a contemporary context. It celebrates Daniel Roseberry’s tenure as creative director since 2019 and his continuation of the brand’s spirit through bold, innovative designs.
About Schiaparelli
Elsa Schiaparelli founded the couture house Schiaparelli in Paris in 1927. Known for her imaginative, disruptive approach to fashion, she combined surrealism and sculptural forms to create memorable designs. She often transformed everyday objects into striking fashion statements and collaborated with Salvador Dalí, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, Jean-Michel Frank, and Alberto Giacometti. Iconic pieces include the Lobster dress, the Tears dress, and the shoe shaped hat.
SCHIAPARELLI: FASHION BECOMES ART
Address: The Sainsbury Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Dates: March 28, 2026, through Nov. 8, 2026
