Next spring, the Victoria and Albert Museum will unveil a landmark exhibition that promises to reframe the legacy of one of the 20th century’s most visionary figures in fashion history. Titled Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, the show will open on March 21st, 2026 at V&A South Kensington and run through November 1st, 2026. As the first-ever UK exhibition dedicated to Elsa Schiaparelli, the show will spotlight both her groundbreaking designs and the innovative evolution of the house under its current leadership.
Bringing together over 200 objects—from surrealist couture and accessories to sculpture, photography, and fine art—the exhibition traces the creative lineage of Schiaparelli fashion from its 1920s origins to its present-day revival under Schiaparelli creative director Daniel Roseberry.
A journey through the imagination of schiaparelli designers
At the heart of this Schiaparelli exhibition lies the bold and boundary-defying work of Schiaparelli designers, past and present. Elsa Schiaparelli, who built her legacy between the two world wars, is celebrated for her fearless fusion of art and fashion. Often collaborating with icons of surrealism, including Salvador Dalí, Man Ray, Jean Cocteau, and Pablo Picasso, Schiaparelli reimagined clothing as a form of visual and psychological expression.
Among the most famous garments on display will be the Skeleton Dress, a haunting, anatomical creation co-designed with Dalí that stunned audiences in the 1930s with its subversive beauty. Another highlight is the Tears Dress, its fabric printed to resemble ripped flesh—challenging conventional ideas of glamour and femininity through surrealist illusion.
Curated by Sonnet Stanfill, Lydia Caston, and Rosalind McKever, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art also explores the brand’s contributions to performance, costume design, and fragrance. Rare archival materials, including original sketches and client records from the London branch of Schiaparelli, will offer new insights into her international reach and entrepreneurial spirit.
According to Delphine Bellini, CEO of Schiaparelli, the Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art exhibition is a celebration of “Elsa’s fearless imagination and radical vision,” and her role in redefining the relationship between fashion and art. The show will not only highlight her historic collaborations but also emphasize her influence on generations of creatives and designers who followed.
Daniel Roseberry: Schiaparelli creative director redefining the brand
Fast-forward to the 21st century, and the Schiaparelli fashion house finds new life in the hands of Daniel Roseberry, who has led the brand since 2019. Roseberry’s vision, deeply rooted in the founder’s radical imagination, has brought the house into the spotlight once again. His sculptural couture—seen on red carpets, in fashion weeks, and at the Met Gala—mirrors Elsa’s penchant for drama, symbolism, and reinvention.
SCHIAPARELLI by DANIEL ROSEBERRY, Patrimoine Schiaparelli, Paris
Courtesy of VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
Courtesy of GETTY IMAGES and SCHIAPARELLI
Courtesy of VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM