Schiaparelli

Question 1

Which designer influenced Schiaparelli? Why?

Answer 1

Poiret. He designed by draping fabric directly onto the body, just as she did.

Question 2

Which artists inspired Schiaparelli?

Answer 2

The Surrealists: Dalí, Cocteau, and Giacometti.

Question 3

Which film stars did Schiaparelli design for?

Answer 3

Mae West and Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Question 4

Three famous collections?

Answer 4

1. 1927 knitwear line.
   - Novelty.
   - Cartoonish scarf/necktie patterns.
   - Inspired by Surrealism.
2. 1928 “Pour les Sport”
   - Simple, wearable, modern.
   - Divided skirt/culottes. Worn at 1931 Wimbledon.
3. 1939 Spring.
   - Darker tone.
   - Camouflage and “trench brown.”

Question 5

Four notable design features?

Answer 5

1. Use of her signature “shocking pink” colour.
2. Colourful, chunky, visible zips.
3. Novelty buttons.
4. Experimentation with synthetic fabrics.

Question 6

What was special about the prohibition dress?

Answer 6

It had a hidden pocket for a flask.

Question 7

When was the lobster dress created? Who was it a collaboration with? Who famously wore it?

Answer 7

2. Dalí.
3. Wallis Simpson.

Question 8

When was the skeleton dress created? How were the bones made?

Answer 8

1. 1938.

2. Trapunto quilting.

Question 9

What inspired the shoe hat?

Answer 9

A photo of Dalí’s wife with a slipper on her head.

Question 10

Why did Schiaparelli decline?

Answer 10

1. Struggled in post-war austerity.

2. Dior’s feminine “New Look” was dominating fashion.

Question 11

What is Schiaparelli’s background?

Answer 11

1. Italian.
2. Daughter of an aristocrat and a university Dean.
3. No formal design training. Studied philosophy.