August 3, 2009
Vintage Find - 1930's Vintage Schiaparelli Brooch
If fashion designers were rock stars, the biggest punk girl would be Elsa Schiaparelli. Most noted for her signature "shocking pink", Schiaparelli's designs in the 20s and 30s flew in the face of fashion convention. This is the woman who dared to place zippers on couture. This is the artist who designed a dress to feature a skeletal back. This is the artist who collaborated with an artist of a different medium - Salvador Dali. Schiaparelli elevated fashion to art. Surrealist art. One of her fun icons was the lobster. She created a stunning gown with a giant red lobster on the skirt.
While this week's Vintage Find is not signed, this sparkly red lobster is attributed to Elsa Schiaparelli. It has appeared in the book Miller's Costume Jewelry by Stephen Miners, but some will argue that without a signature or provenance, you have no idea if it truly is a Schiaparelli piece. I think this little lobster is so fabulous, and so Elsa, that it might not matter either way.
available at Rubylane/Sharon's Sparkles, $225
Posted by Sandra at August 3, 2009 12:00 AM
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Comments (5)
I like your blog! Where is this Schiap gown? I am interested in trying to purchase it. You commented on my Toledo blog. You can get the book on Amazon: Isabel Toledo Fashion from the Inside Out by Valerie Steele and Patricia Mears . If you can share info on how to find this gown I would be very interested.
Thanks, Fluff
Posted on August 4, 2009 05:56
That lobster dress is quirky but wonderful. I'd love to see some brave starlet waltzing that down a red carpet ^_^
Posted on August 4, 2009 15:47
Fluff-thank you so much for the information about the book. Going to order now! I adore your blog too. You really know how to dish the dirt on the fashion world. Love it! You have a fan. Unfortunately the Schiaparelli gown is part of a museum collection. I'll have to do a quick search and figure out which one. Isn't it amazing?
Posted on August 4, 2009 16:45
I live in Maine -- I NEED these lobster items!!
Posted on August 10, 2009 14:22
The gown is housed as part of a collection in the Louvre in Paris, they had a massive retrospective there about 5 years ago, which I was lucky enough to go to! The lobster was actually hand painted on by Salvador Dali, who did many collaborations with Elsa Sciaparelli. It was originally photographed by Man Ray, so all the surrealists together! I don't think it would even be possible to put a price on this dress, but from similar vintage pieces I would guess £250,000 minimum....Karina, www.karinasbags.co.uk
Posted on August 26, 2009 01:08