In a groundbreaking cultural event, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London will present “Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art,” the first major UK exhibition dedicated to legendary Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli. Set to open at the V&A South Kensington‘s Sainsbury Gallery on March 28, 2026, this extensive showcase will run until November 8, 2026, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the revolutionary world of one of fashion’s most innovative minds.
The V&A Museum celebrates Schiaparelli’s revolutionary vision through an unprecedented exhibition of the Italian designer’s boundary-breaking artistry.
The exhibition will feature over 200 objects spanning diverse mediums, including garments, accessories, jewelry, paintings, photographs, and archive materials. Visitors will witness the evolution of Schiaparelli’s designs from the 1920s through to the present day under current creative director Daniel Roseberry, who joined the house in 2019.
Central to the exhibition are Schiaparelli’s groundbreaking collaborations with prominent Surrealist artists. Her iconic 1938 Skeleton Dress will be displayed alongside the famous Tears Dress and Shoe Hat, both created in partnership with Salvador Dalí. Works by Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Man Ray will further illustrate Schiaparelli’s deep immersion in the 20th-century artistic community.
Born in Rome, Schiaparelli opened her first Paris atelier in 1927. Her design philosophy embraced trompe l’oeil techniques, experimental textures, shocking colors, and vivid prints that challenged traditional haute couture conventions. The exhibition highlights her lesser-known history as a female entrepreneur whose commitment to personal freedom and self-expression revolutionized fashion. Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, has emphasized the importance of showcasing Schiaparelli’s ingenious design legacy within the museum’s renowned fashion collection.
The display also traces Schiaparelli’s legacy through Roseberry’s contemporary creations. His fantastical couture designs—gilded corsets, celestial bodices, and sculpted leather roses—have adorned modern celebrities including Beyoncé, Zendaya, and Dua Lipa. The exhibition particularly encourages visitors to reimagine everyday objects as artistic expressions, a concept central to Schiaparelli’s creative vision.
Drawing from the V&A’s collection, one of the largest assemblages of Schiaparelli garments in Britain, the exhibition presents new research by art and fashion curators. This unprecedented gathering of historical and contemporary pieces offers visitors a thorough understanding of how Schiaparelli’s boundary-breaking vision continues to influence fashion today. Enthusiasts are encouraged to secure their tickets when they become available on 10 December 2025, as the exhibition is expected to attract high visitor numbers similar to the V&A’s past blockbuster fashion showcases.
