FASHION QUOTE:
Elsa Schiaparelli
“In difficult time fashion is always outrageous”
Written by Andrew Sia
Illustrated by Elita Lam
“In difficult time fashion is always outrageous”, quoted by Elsa Schiaparelli.
Elsa Schiaparelli was born September 10, 1890 in Rome and died November 13, 1973 at the age of 83. This Italian-born fashion designer who established an important couture house in Paris. She was famous for her Surrealist fashions in the 1930s together with her witty accessories, and the most controversial one was a purse in the shape of a telephone.
Elsa Schiaparelli was considered as one of the most prominent figures in the fashion world and was caught between the two World Wars. Prior to that she lived through the Spanish flu, also known as the 1918 influenza pandemic, and the Great Depression in 1929.
Elsa made popular the Shocking Pink, and this bright color became her calling card synonymous with her brand. At the same time when she made the Shocking Pink her signature color, she also introduced her fragrance, Shocking! which made its debut in 1937. In the midst of the global conflict, Elsa Schiaparelli found a source for inspiration.
Elsa Schiaparelli’s popularity led her to design the costume for the film Moulin Rouge in 1952. Zsa Zsa Gabor dressed in the pink and red Schiaparelli gown created her as a vision of unmistakable feminine energy.
Schiaparelli’s label closed in 1954 and it was until 2013 when Marco Zanini revived the brand and her legacy. The House of Schiaparelli, as well as those fashion aficionados, continue to pay tribune to its founder by keeping Shocking Pink as electric as ever.
Schiaparelli was heavily influenced by Paul Poirot, another renowned French courtier, who taught her creating garments by draping fabrics. She referred to Poirot as a “generous mentor, dear friend”.
Schiaparelli dressed Mae West, an American actress, singer and playwright in a 1937 film Every Day’s a Holiday. Katherine Hepburn, one of Schiaparelli’s biggest celebrity fans who frequently dressed by her throughout the 1930s. Another American actress and dancer was frequently dressed by Schiaparelli.
The famous Vivien Leigh, best known for her role in Gone with the Wind, was dressed by Schiaparelli as well. Not to forget Joan Crawford, whom she was also befriended.
She was known as a Surrealist, comedian, and fashion visionary and her groundbreaking designs were unmatched. She merged fashion and art and mix unusual shapes of fabrics in such a way that no designer had done before. She made clothing as an extension of her personality. She was hailed as the Godmother of Avant-garde which ensured the longevity of Schiaparelli’s legacy.