Elsa Schiaparelli

Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973) was an Italian-born couturière who established her own fashion business in Paris in 1927. Early success came through knitted sweaters with illusionistic bow motifs. Her interest in Surrealism helped bring unexpected imagery, materials and artistic collaboration into couture.

Her practice extended to perfume, accessories and film costume. Leonor Fini designed the bottle for Shocking, launched in 1937 alongside Schiaparelli’s signature bright pink. She also helped organise First Papers of Surrealism in New York in 1942. Her autobiography, Shocking Life, appeared in 1954, the year she closed her Paris couture salon.