“Colour gives me ecstatic pleasure”
“One can add pads and bows, one can lower or raise the lines, modify the curves, accentuate this or that point,
but the harmony must remain. The Greeks understood this rule,
and gave their goddesses, the serenity of perfection and the fabulous appearance of freedom.”
Elsa Schiaparelli, Shocking Life (1954)
Drawing upon its legacy of collaborations with artists, artisans and talents, Schiaparelli presents Story – a new foray into ready-to-wear and accessories. Each Story – a concise wardrobe of prêt-à-couture edited around a theme – delves into Schiaparelli’s past, present and future to relate to today’s women.
Story #2 is a tribute to the energy and determination of a woman whose spirit is translated into a vibrant palette, graphic cuts, bold yet refined details and urban sporty silhouettes.
Elsa Schiaparelli’s childhood in Rome surrounded by classical Hellenistic statuary, her life in New York, her beginnings in fashion design with sportswear and her self-confidence for the daring all merge in a modern-day Winged Victory of Samothrace sporting an American football helmet and the Schiaparelli symbols. In a nod to Nike – the Greek goddess of victory – clothes combine strength and softness.
From a neon oversized hooded windbreaker in ripstop nylon to an ultra-feminine short dress embroidered with a fantasy jungle of beads and feathers, Story #2 goes from morning to evening. T-shirts, sweatshirts, tracksuits and bomber jackets alternate with sharply cut blazers and languid draped dresses.
Joyful hues of shocking pink, “noon day sun” orange, stunning red and vivid vermilion are given depth with touches of black, white and cerulean blue. Accessories, jewelry and buttons play with irregular rose cut resin in a psychedelic rainbow digital dégradé. The Secret of Schiaparelli bag with its signature golden padlock clasp makes its debut in shocking pink.
Schiaparelli boutique-salons, 21 place Vendôme (Mon-Sat/10am-7pm).