For me, dress designing is not a profession but an art.

(Elsa Schiaparelli)

The UK’s first exhibition on Elsa Schiaparelli spans the 1920s to today, celebrating the innovative designer's influence. It traces the fashion house’s groundbreaking origins and its evolution under current creative director Daniel Roseberry.

Through a selection of garments, accessories, photographs and archival materials, the exhibition explores Schiaparelli’s unique vision and her enduring impact on the history of fashion. Renowned for her bold imagination and unconventional approach, she challenged established ideas of elegance and transformed clothing into a powerful form of artistic expression.

The exhibition also highlights Schiaparelli’s collaborations with leading artists and cultural figures of her time, revealing the close relationship between fashion, art and creativity. Surrealist influences, experimental designs and iconic creations demonstrate how her work pushed the boundaries of what fashion could be.

By connecting the house’s pioneering beginnings with its contemporary reinvention under Daniel Roseberry, the exhibition offers a broader perspective on Schiaparelli’s legacy. It shows how the spirit of innovation that defined the designer’s career continues to inspire new generations and remains relevant in the fashion world today.