On the 28th March 2026, the V&A in London will open the first exhibition in the UK devoted to Maison Schiaparelli. The exhibition spans from the 1920s to the present, charting the history and impact of one of the 20th century’s most innovative fashion designers, Elsa Schiaparelli.
The show traces the origin of the house from its first garments to its present-day incarnation in the hands of its creative director, Daniel Roseberry. It will establish Elsa Schiaparelli as a key innovator in the field of fashion and feature new research undertaken by art and fashion curators. Highlighting the history of a female entrepreneur and showcasing her rarely seen creations. The exhibit marks the first to spotlight the London branch of Schiaparelli’s dynamic and independent clients and the founder’s involvement in the satellite location.
Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art features over 400 objects, including 100 ensembles and 50 artworks, as well as accessories, jewellery, paintings, photographs, furniture, perfumes, and archive material.
Highlights include the 1938 Skeleton dress as well as the 1938 Tears dress, along with a hat resembling an upside-down shoe, all conceived in collaboration with artist Salvador Dalí. Artworks by Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, and Eileen Agar are also on display, as are several of Schiaparelli’s designs for film and theatre productions. Fans of Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa will get the chance to see Daniel Roseberry’s creations, which the pop stars have worn to the Oscars and Golden Globes.
The exhibition will showcase the exquisite skill and innovation of the House of Schiaparelli through four chapters. Designing the Modern Wardrobe introduces Elsa Schiaparelli’s career, from opening her first Paris premises in 1927 under the sign ‘Schiaparelli. Pour Le Sport’ to becoming, by 1934, a leading couturier. The exhibition’s second section, Creative Constellations, explores Elsa Schiaparelli’s deep connection with art. The exhibition’s third section explores how Elsa Schiaparelli became renowned beyond the world of French haute couture. While the final section celebrates Elsa Schiaparelli’s lasting influence on fashion and her outsized design legacy, now carried forward by creative director Daniel Roseberry.
Advanced booking is recommended. You can buy tickets directly at vam.ac.uk.