Schiaparelli & Prada: Impossible Conversations Schiaparelli Scrollwork Appliqued Shawl

Description

Iconic and unconventional, both Elsa Schiaparelli (Italian, 1890–1973) and Miuccia Prada (Italian, born 1949) are famed for their imaginative designs that combine fashion with art. This shawl was made expressly for The Costume Institute’s spring 2012 exhibition Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which celebrates their achievements and explores the striking affinities between these two visionary Italian designers from different eras.

Wool with silk embroidered applique. Imported. 72'' x 28''.

Art History

Elsa Schiaparelli (Italian, 1890–1973), who was closely associated with the Surrealist art movement, created such iconic pieces as the shoe hat, the tears dress, and the insect necklace. Miuccia Prada (Italian, born 1949), who holds a degree in political science, took over her family’s Milan-based business in 1978 and focuses on fashion that reflects the eclectic nature of Postmodernism. These women are famed for their imaginative designs that combine fashion with art, whether via unconventional materials, witty prints, or trompe l’oeil.