1950's Schiaparelli Brown Overcoat
View Similar Items
1950's Schiaparelli Brown Overcoat
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 40.7 in (103.38 cm)Bust: 46 in (116.84 cm)Waist: 48 in (121.92 cm)Hip: 51 in (129.54 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU22821386143
Elsa Schiaparelli
From her signature color Shocking Pink to her collaborations with Surrealist artists, the boldly original Elsa Schiaparelli transformed fashion from the late 1920s to the early ’50s. Experimenting with elements like trompe l’oeil images and colorful visible zippers, the Italian designer instilled a provocative avant-garde artistry in her clothing and accessories, including those created with Salvador Dalí, such as the lobster dress and a hat shaped like a shoe.
Born in Rome, Schiaparelli was a rebellious child who grew up among the city’s intellectual elite. She had a voracious appetite for reading and became interested in ancient cultures, astronomy and world religions. Schiaparelli studied philosophy at the University of Rome, and after publishing a collection of poems on love and sensuality that so mortified her conservative parents that they tried, unsuccessfully, to confine her to a Swiss convent, she left for London. A quick marriage to Count Wilhelm de Wendt de Kerlor brought her to New York, but it would be in Paris following her divorce that Schiaparelli embraced her artistic passions. She moved to the French capital city in 1922 with her young daughter and happened to meet master couturier Paul Poiret, who loaned the stylish Schiaparelli his clothes, sparking her own fashion interests.
Schiaparelli debuted her first collection of knitwear in 1927, and later that year, she designed a black-and-white pullover hand-knit wool sweater featuring a trompe l’oeil bowknot that captured the attention of the fashion world. Vogue called it “an artistic masterpiece.” The success led to her moving her house to 21 Place Vendôme in 1935 where thousands of garments were produced each year. Schiaparelli’s knitwear collections were later accompanied by revolutionary swimsuits and other clothing and accessories. Her inventive designs would include culottes — a radical statement in the 1930s when women still could cause a scandal by wearing pants — as well as printed fabric, such as the 1938 Tears dress with a print designed by Dalí making it appear as if the evening gown had been savagely ripped.
Schiaparelli was among the first designers to use materials like rayon and Lurex as well as explore wrap dresses and transparent raincoats. She also introduced unisex fragrances and brought her artistic partnerships into jewelry, such as bronze brooches made with Alberto Giacometti and fur-lined bracelets with Méret Oppenheim. As she wrote in her 1954 autobiography Shocking Life, women should “dare to be different.”
Despite her acclaim, her shop closed in 1954 after a tumultuous time during World War II. By then, fashion had moved on with Christian Dior's New Look, and the closure of Schiaparelli's business coincided with a comeback mounted by Coco Chanel, her archrival in the early days.
In 2006, Italian businessman Diego Della Valle acquired the brand and its archives, and the Maison Schiaparelli was reopened in 2012, back at 21 Place Vendôme where Schiaparelli's fearless and enduring work began.
Find vintage Elsa Schiaparelli hats, evening dresses and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1990s Issey Miyake Brown Felted Wool PeacoatBy Issey MiyakeLocated in Toronto, OntarioIssey Miyake coat from the 1990s. Brown felted wool with hand cut scalloped trim. Matching large brown plastic buttons. Oversize lapel. Stunning tailoring and draping with beautiful ...Category
1990s Japanese Coats
- 1990s Gianfranco FerreNavy Blue Iridescent Trench CoatBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Toronto, Ontario1990s Gianfranco Ferre iridescent navy blue trench coat with black oversized black fox fur cuffs. Double breasted with a notched collar and wide lapels a...Category
1990s Italian Trench Coats
- 1980s Krizia Grey Faux Shearling CoatBy KriziaLocated in Toronto, OntarioKrizia coat from the 1980s. Faux shearling with an all over dark and light grey crackle print. Wrap style that is secured by a single long oval wood button. Wrap style creates a stan...Category
1980s Italian Coats
- 1970's Black Unlined Felted Wool CoatLocated in Toronto, OntarioBeautiful unlined black felted wool coat dating from the 1970's. Four ribbed patch pockets on hips and lower bust with gold button details. Sits open on the body, with no buttons dow...Category
1970s Unknown Coats
- 1950's Dior Inspired Brown Satin Opera CoatBy Holt RenfrewLocated in Toronto, OntarioStunning chocolate brown Dior inspired opera coat from the 1950's, from Holt Renfrew in Toronto. Oversized bow detail at neck with fringe. Opera length s...Category
1950s Canadian Opera Coats
- 1970s Tiktiner Black Brocade CoatBy TiktinerLocated in Toronto, OntarioBeautiful 1970s black on black brocade coat by Tiktiner. Mandarin collar, 3/4 length sleeves and flap pockets. Belt detail at back. The perfect seasonal ...Category
1970s French Coats
- CHANEL black leather leather COSMOPOLITE Cape Jacket 36 XSBy ChanelLocated in Zürich, CHChanel cpae in black calf skin with velvet trims in black rayon (98%) and silk (2%). Features a notched collar, arm slits that can be closed with concealed zippers, and pleats coming...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Capes
- Vintage Holroyde Velvet CoatLocated in London, GBA wonderful vintage velvet coat by Holroyde. In black with a sage green collar and cuffs, with wonderful detail. The coat is A line , fully lined ...Category
1970s Unknown Coats and Outerwear
- Vintage Roland Klein Evening CoatBy Roland KleinLocated in London, GBA chic vintage evening coat by Roland Klein. The coat is in a soft gold colour with a black leaf pattern. It has a round neckline, elbow length sleaves and a pocket on either side. M...Category
1970s British Coats and Outerwear
- TOM FORD black PERFORATED LEATHER TRENCH Coat Jacket 36 XXSBy Tom FordLocated in Zürich, CHTom Ford belted coat in black perforated nappa leather, nubuk and lambskin featuring gold-tone hardware. Unlined. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Tag Size 34 Size XXS ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jackets
- Yves Saint Laurent Quilted Hooded Coat, Fall-Winter 1976-1977By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Geneva, CHUnmissable piece of fashion history, signature coats from the 1976-1977 Fall-Winter YSL "Russian Collection" are rare and hard to find. Constructed in black quilted cotton and coordi...Category
1970s French Coats
- SAINT LAURENT black wool CROPPED MILITARY Jacket 36 XSBy Saint LaurentLocated in Zürich, CHSaint Laurent cropped jacket in black wool (100%) with a notch collar, epaulettes, one front chest pocket and decorative buttoned cuffs. Closes on the front with a single button. Lin...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Trench Coats
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Saw It at the Met Ball. Here’s What Camp Fashion Is Really About
This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.
The Met’s Latest Blockbuster Tells a Powerful Story through 230 Jewels
A captivating show at the Manhattan museum explores how jewelry has ornamented the body through the millennia — and redefines it as high art.