Women who inspire us: Elsa Schiaparelli

A recognised interwar fashion designer with sophisticated edge and surrealistic parallels. Elsa Schiaparelli was an innovative designer reflecting on society and interpreting the social environment in which she worked. Between the two world wars she created gorgeous and controversial art pieces of clothes. Her iconic Shoe Hat, Skeleton Dress and Tears Dress all resemble her surrealistic interpretation of fashion, a huge inspiration to us here at Lola Ramona and other fashion houses worldwide.

Elsa Schiaparelli was a famous Italian fashion designer and is regarded one of the most prominent designers of her time. She turned reality upside down with her impulsive and innovative designs. Her style of impulse and artistic fashion, yet also elegance and sophistication, still today inspires and encourages us to think beyond traditional norms of fashion. Her designs encapsulate the idea that reality is only an illusion. This is a statement with which we identify ourselves and our designs at Lola Ramona and among other reasons why we find Elsa Schiaparelli a true inspiration.

The captivating designs of Elsa Schiaparelli came to life not from a careful sketch, nor from a technical fashion text book but instead from the impulse of the moment and the flow of sudden ideas coming to her. Draping fabric on her own body and letting spontaneous inspiration speak to her, Elsa Schiaparelli created immortal, magnificent fashion designs. Working as a sculptor, Elsa Schiaparelli interpreted the interwar state of society through her fashion. Sophisticated and artistic fashion were cornerstones of her imaginary and powerful style, often bringing innovative designs and fabric structures to life. However, surrealism was never traded in for elegance. Being a true lady, Elsa Schiaparelli created collections of dresses, jackets, accessories, jewellery and much more in a style of delicacy and grandeur.

Elsa Schiaparelli’s style is surrealistic in the way that her designs deceive the eye and give impressions of additional dimensions or they contradict traditional norms of wearing clothes. Famous designs include a knitwear with a pattern illustrating a tied scarf around the neck and the characteristic Shoe Hat which challenged the way we think of shoes. Furthermore, by being one of the very first designers to develop the wrap dress (an open dress in the style of an apron that comes together in the front) she challenged the way we think of dresses. This was Elsa Schiaparelli’s mission in fashion. She wanted to give her customers more than just sophisticated clothes – she wanted to deliver a story and create reasons to really reflect on fashion. Indeed, she does make us at Lola Ramona reflect, wonder and imagine new terms and conditions in fashion. Elsa Schiaparelli is an immortal designer, forever inspiring and encouraging us.