Between 1919 and 1939, Paris experienced a cultural and intellectual boom. This blog will feature artists, writers, composers, musicians, and designers. Paris was at its cultural peak.
Along with Coco Chanel, her greatest rival, Schiaparelli is regarded as one of the most prominent fashion designers of the period between the two wars.
Born in Rome to an aristocratic family, Elsa was sent to a strict convent boarding school in Switzerland, but was rebellious and staged a hunger strike until her parents brought her home. Her life was comfortable, but unfulfilling, and to avoid an arranged marriage to a wealthy Russian, she impulsively married a charismatic con man in 1914. Elsa gave birth to a daughter, and her husband fled.
In Paris, Schiaparelli lived well, and she continued to receive financial support from her family, but she wanted to earn an independent income. She had no technical training in pattern making and sewing, and she relied on impulse and inspiration, sometimes using herself as the model. Her “pour le Sport” clothing line took off in 1927, and included bathing suits, ski-wear, and linen dresses. A darker tone was set when France declared war on Germany in 1939. Schiaparelli’s Spring 1940 collection featured “trench” brown and camouflage print taffetas.
Drawing by Marcel Vertès
Source: Archivio Alinari
Hmmmm….I have to wonder……..Is it possible that her parents were in an arranged marriage as well, and ironicly gave Elsa the means to live a more financially stable life. Regardless, her own artistic abilities seemed to shine through all that.
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whoops……I ignored the spell checker……….what a lousy writer I am!
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Now this is great! What a shame I decided to blog hop way down the participants list thinking they would have less visitors. As usual, this blog is well done, easy to read, navigate, uncluttered without a lot of “stiff” taking away from the information in the post. I will have to catch up with these posts. If you have time, come for TEA today where I have been writing about hotels and inns this #Challenge.
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Thanks, Stepheny. I’ve been reading your posts and really enjoying your theme this year!
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I love that she was such an independent minded woman
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Thanks, Kathy!
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Yes, that shoe hat is quite remarkable! Another fascinating woman I had not previously heard of.
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The shoe hat, Pauline! Next thing you know we’ll be wearing purses on our heads 😉
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I have heard of Elsa Schiaparelli, Martha! But didn’t know much about her. The shoe hat made me laugh!
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Isn’t it FABULOUS, Denise?!
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What a fabulous talent. Too bad that parents end up sending their daughters into disastrous marriages by their desire to control.
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Indeed!
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