A major Schiaparelli exhibition is coming to the V&A
The first show dedicated to the work of the Italian designer will open in Spring 2026
Capitalising on the success of its fashion series, including exhibitions dedicated to Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior and Gabrielle Chanel, the V&A has announced that 2026 will see the arrival of the first exhibition in the UK devoted to the work of lauded fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli.
Due to run from 21 March – 1 November 2026, and featuring exhibits dating from the 1920s to modern day, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art promises to put a spotlight on the history and legacy of one of the world’s most exciting and innovative fashion designers. Known for her Surrealist approach to fashion, informed by her close collaboration with Salvador Dalí, as well as the influence of artists including Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau and Man Ray, the show will put Schiaparelli’s designs in the context of a life and career informed by both a vibrant artistic scene and the social impact of two world wars.
Two models wearing Schiaparelli for Vogue, 1936. Image: Cecil Beaton/Condé Nast via Getty Images
Schiaparelli Couture Spring 2025
Curated by Sonnet Stanfill, Lydia Caston and Rosalind McKever and spotlighting new research into Schiaparelli’s life, backed up by more than 200 objects spanning clothing, accessories, photographs, jewellery, furniture and paintings, among the most exciting exhibits will be the famed Skeleton and Tears dresses, designed in collaboration with Dalí. Elsewhere, a series of rare costume designs will also highlight Schiaparelli’s influence on film and theatre.
The immersive exhibition will also aim to trace a direct line from Schiaparelli herself to the modern incarnation of her brand under the guidance of its current creative director Daniel Roseberry, who continues to work from the same 21 Place Vendôme Parisian atelier that Schiaparelli herself handpicked in 1935.
A black silk jersey coat by Elsa Schiaparelli, Jean Cocteau and Lesage, 1937. Image: Victoria and Albert Museum
‘Tears’ Evening dress and head veil by Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dali for the February 1938 Circus Collection. Image: Victoria and Albert Museum
“Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art will celebrate one of the most ingenious and daring designers in fashion history,” said Tristram Hunt director of the V&A. “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.”
“Elsa Schiaparelli’s fearless imagination and radical vision redefined the boundaries between fashion and art,” adds Delphine Bellini, CEO of Schiaparelli. “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.”
Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art runs from 21 March – 1 November 2026 at the V&A, tickets go on sale in autumn 2025.
