Latest news with #ElsaSchiaparelli
Times
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Welcome to my boudoir — the most beautiful perfume bottles
Elsa Schiaparelli, who will be the subject of an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 2026, was ahead of her time. In 1927 the avant-garde, Rome-born couturier founded a fashion house defined by bold, surrealist-inspired creations that are reflected in the house's recent revival under Daniel Roseberry. Schiaparelli also pioneered the idea of the artist-designer collab, enlisting a number of her friends in the surrealist art scene to work on elements of her designs — from the writer, artist and film-maker Jean Cocteau's line drawings rendered in sumptuous embroidery to Salvador Dalí's input on the iconic lobster dress and shoe hat. Schiaparelli also engaged her artist friends to collaborate on different perfume bottles. In 1947 Dalí produced a design that recalls a golden monstrance-style altar piece for Schiaparelli's Le Roy Soleil perfume — created in crystal in a limited run of 2,000 by Baccarat, and presented in a large, gilded, satin-lined metal shell. On receiving the perfume, the Duchess of Windsor declared it 'the most beautiful bottle ever made… It has displaced the duke's photograph on the coiffeuse!' • This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue The earliest-surviving perfume bottles date from ancient Egypt in the 2nd millennium BC and would have contained any of the many perfumed oils that the Egyptians used both in religious rites and beauty regimes. The trend spread throughout the ancient world and beyond, with perfumed waters, oils and distillations stored in a variety of shaped vessels made not only from glass but also terracotta, porcelain and metal. The most luxurious examples were highly decorated with enamel, elaborate filigree work or even gemstones. This trend continued in the 18th century — the highest end of the market saw whole bottles carved from the most expensive stones such as lapis lazuli or made from ever-thinner glass — and the 19th, with glass etched or painted with playful scenes, or heavy crystal bottles made by firms such as Baccarat. By the 20th century these leading glass and crystal manufacturers were working on both mass-market perfume containers and limited-edition runs. The modern era has taken such bottles to new heights — with the most expensive perfumes yet sold being as much about the bottle as about the scent. Shumukh by The Spirit of Dubai, presented in a 3-litre bottle adorned with over 3,500 diamonds, topaz, pearls and gold, holds the record at about £1.3 million. Limited editions of mass-market fragrances can also fetch impressive sums. A 2016 reissue of Dior's J'adore was topped with a 'bow' featuring 30 round-cut diamonds and 10 pear-cut diamonds —at a cost of £50,000. Viktor & Rolf celebrated the 15th anniversary of its celebrated Flowerbomb scent in 2020 with a 10-piece run of a special bottle 3D-printed in gold, costing more than £2,000 each. In 2011 a one-of-a-kind bottle of DKNY's Golden Delicious was designed by the jeweller Martin Katz and studded with 2,909 precious stones, including 2,700 white diamonds, 183 yellow sapphires, a 7.18-carat oval Cabochon sapphire from Sri Lanka, a 1.6-carat turquoise Paraiba tourmaline from Brazil, a 3.07-carat oval-cut ruby, a 4.03-carat pear-shaped rose-cut diamond and a 2.43-carat flawless, yellow Canary diamond that featured on the cap. These were meticulously hand-set into a golden Big Apple-inspired silhouette over the course of 1,500 hours. The bottle was priced at $1 million (or over £600,000), with proceeds going to the charity Action Against Hunger. Artistic collaborations have also endured. Before Schiaparelli partnered with the surrealists, many artists who were then unknown but would go on to achieve greatness designed perfume bottles. Kazimir Malevich, the radical Russian painter, designed a graphic, glacial perfume bottle for the Severny fragrance for Brocard, featuring a polar bear atop an elongated iceberg. In the 1910s René Lalique, the founder of the eponymous crystal company, partnered with the perfumer François Coty, for whom he made a series of perfume bottles. A century later the architect Zaha Hadid worked with Donna Karan to create a monumental design for the bottle of Donna Karan Woman. Dalí himself designed more perfume bottles, both for other brands and, later, under his own name. In 1983 he designed the Baccarat-crafted bottle for his eponymous fragrance, released in a limited run of 1,500 bottles each priced at £2,500. The bottle, shaped like a nose and lips, was inspired by the artist's rendering of a classical statue, the Aphrodite of Knidos, in his 1981 painting of the subject. Carrying on the surrealist theme is a launch from Lalique inspired by the Belgian artist René Magritte's 1950 work La valse hésitation. Known for his pipes, bowler hats and apples, Magritte's work is always wry and dreamlike. La valse hésitation (alluding to a type of waltz that sees participants pause momentarily) is no exception. It depicts two green apples — the only signs of life in a flat, arid, barren landscape — wearing carnival masks. The latest of Lalique's art and fragrance pairings interprets this as a symbol of hidden realities, producing a single masked apple that mixes transparency and satin finish, light and texture, clear glass and coloured (£2,100). Available in a numbered edition of only 250 pieces, each bottle is handcrafted at Lalique's workshops in Alsace and filled with an extrait de parfum, by the perfumer Véronique Nyberg, with notes of pink pepper, ginger, shiso, jasmine absolute and musk. If you're looking to add a little artistic flair to your dressing table, here are four more of the prettiest perfume bottles to buy now: This limited-edition bottle of the Spanish fashion house's Agua fragrance has a cap in the shape of a handcrafted porcelain flower, hand-painted in blue, with a pale green calyx. Inspired by sunlight sparkling on water, the fragrance itself carries notes of Spanish rockrose, bergamot and orange flower. £800, The feminist contemporary artist Judy Chicago has created an exquisite mini trunk that pays homage to Catherine Dior, Christian Dior's sister and a member of the French Resistance in the Second World War. The velvet interior of the trunk is decorated with quotes by Catherine Dior, and it is covered in a delicate blue floral print. The trunk holds a bottle of the Miss Dior scent in a lively iteration by the perfumer Francis Kurkdjian. £12,600, Gucci's recently launched The Alchemist's Garden range is inspired by both the history of Florence and the practice of alchemy. Suitably, therefore, the bottles evoke apothecary's flacons. This version, in clear white, decorated with a golden drawing of a dragonfly, is built around a floral bouquet to mix freshness and earthiness. £265, This classic cuboid flacon is all about restrained elegance, until you reach the cap with its decadent purple stones. The perfume itself features notes of bergamot, ginger and ylang ylang. £2,500,
Fashion Network
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
The V&A Museum to host first Schiaparelli exhibition in the UK in 2026
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London will open in March 2026 the first exhibition dedicated to Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli and her eponymous firm in the United Kingdom, the institution announced Wednesday in a statement. The exhibition "Schiaparelli: Fashion Turned Into Art" will arrive in the British capital between March 21 and November 1, 2026, and will cover the brand's trajectory from the 1920s to the present, as well as the impact of its creator on the history of fashion and other artistic disciplines. In this regard, it will highlight Elsa Schiaparelli's role as "a nexus of innovation and a key figure within a stellar sphere of fashion, art, and performance," which spanned the cities of Paris, London, and New York between the two world wars and until her retirement in 1954. The exhibition will feature more than 200 objects, including "garments, accessories, jewelry, paintings, photographs, sculptures, furniture, perfumes, and archival material" from the Schiaparelli house," the museum explained in a note. Among them will be some of the couturier's most iconic and "radical" designs, such as her "Skeleton" and "Tears" dresses, designed in collaboration with Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dalí and from the British art institution's collection. The exhibition will also reference the popularity of Schiaparelli's designs in film and theater productions and will include works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Man Ray. V&A director Tristram Hunt noted that the V&A has one of the largest fashion collections in the world and the most prominent in the case of Schiaparelli's designs, so her collaboration with other artists and the performative world "make the firm and its founder an ideal subject for a spectacular exhibition at the V&A." "Elsa Schiaparelli's fearless imagination and radical vision redefined the boundaries between fashion and art. This exhibition celebrates her as an enduring influence through iconic collaborations with 20th-century masters and for her pioneering fusion of creativity and commerce," he added. "Schiaparelli: Fashion Turned Into Art" is the latest show in the V&A's series dedicated to fashion figures, which have explored Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen or, most recently, British model Naomi Campbell. Tickets for the exhibition, curated by Sonnet Stanfill, Lydia Caston, and Rosalind McKever, will go on sale in autumn 2025. © EFE 2025. Está expresamente prohibida la redistribución y la redifusión de todo o parte de los contenidos de los servicios de Efe, sin previo y expreso consentimiento de la Agencia EFE S.A.
Fashion Network
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
The V&A Museum to host first Schiaparelli exhibition in the UK in 2026
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London will open in March 2026 the first exhibition dedicated to Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli and her eponymous firm in the United Kingdom, the institution announced Wednesday in a statement. The exhibition "Schiaparelli: Fashion Turned Into Art" will arrive in the British capital between March 21 and November 1, 2026, and will cover the brand's trajectory from the 1920s to the present, as well as the impact of its creator on the history of fashion and other artistic disciplines. In this regard, it will highlight Elsa Schiaparelli's role as "a nexus of innovation and a key figure within a stellar sphere of fashion, art, and performance," which spanned the cities of Paris, London, and New York between the two world wars and until her retirement in 1954. The exhibition will feature more than 200 objects, including "garments, accessories, jewelry, paintings, photographs, sculptures, furniture, perfumes, and archival material" from the Schiaparelli house," the museum explained in a note. Among them will be some of the couturier's most iconic and "radical" designs, such as her "Skeleton" and "Tears" dresses, designed in collaboration with Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dalí and from the British art institution's collection. The exhibition will also reference the popularity of Schiaparelli's designs in film and theater productions and will include works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Man Ray. V&A director Tristram Hunt noted that the V&A has one of the largest fashion collections in the world and the most prominent in the case of Schiaparelli's designs, so her collaboration with other artists and the performative world "make the firm and its founder an ideal subject for a spectacular exhibition at the V&A." "Elsa Schiaparelli's fearless imagination and radical vision redefined the boundaries between fashion and art. This exhibition celebrates her as an enduring influence through iconic collaborations with 20th-century masters and for her pioneering fusion of creativity and commerce," he added. "Schiaparelli: Fashion Turned Into Art" is the latest show in the V&A's series dedicated to fashion figures, which have explored Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen or, most recently, British model Naomi Campbell. Tickets for the exhibition, curated by Sonnet Stanfill, Lydia Caston, and Rosalind McKever, will go on sale in autumn 2025. © EFE 2025. Está expresamente prohibida la redistribución y la redifusión de todo o parte de los contenidos de los servicios de Efe, sin previo y expreso consentimiento de la Agencia EFE S.A.
North Wales Chronicle
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
V&A announces first UK exhibition devoted to haute couture house Schiaparelli
Set to launch in March 2026, the retrospective will chart the history and impact of Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, who founded Maison Schiaparelli in the 1920s. It will also explore the present-day incarnation of Schiaparelli, which is now in the hands of creative director Daniel Roseberry. A post shared by Victoria and Albert Museum (@vamuseum) Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art will be staged in the Sainsbury Gallery and comprise more than 200 objects, including garments, accessories, jewellery and paintings. The exhibition, created in close collaboration with Schiaparelli, will be the first of its kind to spotlight the London branch of the house, according to the museum. Highlights include the Skeleton dress, which features quilting resembling large bone, the Tears dress, which features a unique 'tear' print, and a hat shaped to look like an upside-down shoe – all conceived in collaboration with surrealist artist Salvador Dali. The exhibition will reference the popularity of Schiaparelli's designs for film and the theatre with artworks by Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, French poet Jean Cocteau, and US visual artist Man Ray on display. Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, said: 'Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art will celebrate one of the most ingenious and daring designers in fashion history. 'The V&A holds one of the largest and most important fashion collections in the world, and the foremost collection of Schiaparelli garments in Britain. 'Schiaparelli's collaboration with artists and with the world of performance make the Maison and its founder an ideal subject for a spectacular exhibition at the V&A.' Delphine Bellini, chief executive of Schiaparelli, said: 'Elsa Schiaparelli's fearless imagination and radical vision redefined the boundaries between fashion and art. 'This exhibition celebrates her enduring influence through iconic collaborations with 20th century masters and a pioneering fusion of creativity and commerce. 'With its unparalleled collections, expertise in fashion and design, cultural reach, and ability to bridge tradition and innovation, the Victoria and Albert Museum offers the perfect setting to showcase her legacy alongside Daniel Roseberry's creations, which carry her surrealist spirit forward blurring lines with bold, sculptural designs that both honour and reinvent her vision for a new century.' The exhibition is the latest in the V&A's series of major fashion exhibitions which includes retrospectives of Gabrielle Chanel, Christian Dior and Alexander McQueen. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art will run from March 21 to November 1 2026. Tickets will go on sale in Autumn 2025.
Glasgow Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
V&A announces first UK exhibition devoted to haute couture house Schiaparelli
Set to launch in March 2026, the retrospective will chart the history and impact of Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, who founded Maison Schiaparelli in the 1920s. It will also explore the present-day incarnation of Schiaparelli, which is now in the hands of creative director Daniel Roseberry. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art will be staged in the Sainsbury Gallery and comprise more than 200 objects, including garments, accessories, jewellery and paintings. The exhibition, created in close collaboration with Schiaparelli, will be the first of its kind to spotlight the London branch of the house, according to the museum. Highlights include the Skeleton dress, which features quilting resembling large bone, the Tears dress, which features a unique 'tear' print, and a hat shaped to look like an upside-down shoe – all conceived in collaboration with surrealist artist Salvador Dali. The exhibition will reference the popularity of Schiaparelli's designs for film and the theatre with artworks by Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, French poet Jean Cocteau, and US visual artist Man Ray on display. Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, said: 'Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art will celebrate one of the most ingenious and daring designers in fashion history. 'The V&A holds one of the largest and most important fashion collections in the world, and the foremost collection of Schiaparelli garments in Britain. 'Schiaparelli's collaboration with artists and with the world of performance make the Maison and its founder an ideal subject for a spectacular exhibition at the V&A.' Delphine Bellini, chief executive of Schiaparelli, said: 'Elsa Schiaparelli's fearless imagination and radical vision redefined the boundaries between fashion and art. 'This exhibition celebrates her enduring influence through iconic collaborations with 20th century masters and a pioneering fusion of creativity and commerce. 'With its unparalleled collections, expertise in fashion and design, cultural reach, and ability to bridge tradition and innovation, the Victoria and Albert Museum offers the perfect setting to showcase her legacy alongside Daniel Roseberry's creations, which carry her surrealist spirit forward blurring lines with bold, sculptural designs that both honour and reinvent her vision for a new century.' The exhibition is the latest in the V&A's series of major fashion exhibitions which includes retrospectives of Gabrielle Chanel, Christian Dior and Alexander McQueen. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art will run from March 21 to November 1 2026. Tickets will go on sale in Autumn 2025.
