SCHIAPARELLI : WHEN FASHION BECAME ART AT THE V&A IN LONDON

The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, London, will open a major exhibition dedicated to Schiaparelli in March 2026 under the title Fashion Becomes Art.
On view from 21 March to 1 November 2026, this exhibition marks the first major presentation in the United Kingdom to explore the history and influence of the house founded in 1927 by Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli, tracing its evolution through to the present day.

The exhibition brings together more than 200 objects drawn from archives and collections, including garments, accessories, jewellery, artworks, photographs and perfume-related materials.
Iconic pieces such as the Skeleton Dress, the Tears Dress created with Salvador Dalí and the surreal shoe hat will be shown alongside works by major twentieth century artists including Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau and Man Ray.
This dialogue highlights Schiaparelli’s unique position at the intersection of couture and art.

Beyond its historical scope, Fashion Becomes Art focuses on Elsa Schiaparelli’s pioneering spirit and her role in redefining fashion as a space for artistic experimentation.
The exhibition also examines the contemporary chapter of the house under creative director Daniel Roseberry, whose work continues to reinterpret this legacy through bold design and couture craftsmanship.
Positioned as one of London’s key cultural events of 2026, the exhibition offers a powerful reflection on creativity without boundaries.