The Victoria & Albert Museum in London will host "Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art" at the Sainsbury Gallery from March 21 to November 1, 2026. The exhibition traces the legacy of founder Elsa Schiaparelli from the 1920s to the present, under current owner Diego Della Valle and creative director Daniel Roseberry. It will feature over 200 objects spanning Paris, London, and New York, including garments, accessories, jewelry, paintings, photographs, and archive material. Highlights include the Skeleton dress (1938) and the Tears dress (1938), created in collaboration with Salvador Dalí. The show also explores Schiaparelli's relationships with clients like Wallis Simpson and artists such as Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Man Ray.
The exhibition matters because it reframes fashion within a fine art context, emphasizing how Schiaparelli inspired 20th-century art rather than merely being inspired by it. The V&A aims to change how fashion is experienced in art museums, building on previous scholarship while presenting a new narrative. The show also highlights Schiaparelli's role as a woman entrepreneur, offering inspiration for contemporary audiences. This five-year project underscores the enduring cultural and artistic significance of the Schiaparelli house.