Review: Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at the V&A
Wondering if you should add the V&A’s latest exhibition to your list? Here’s my unfiltered review of Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art.
This post may contain affiliate links. Check out my Disclosure & Privacy Policy for more information. I attended Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art and Fashion Becomes Tea with press access. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you love fashion, art or just creativity in general, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at the V&A is one of the most exciting exhibitions to have on your London list this year.
Held at The Sainsbury Gallery at V&A South Kensington, the exhibition is the UK’s first major exhibition dedicated to Elsa Schiaparelli and the world of Maison Schiaparelli, running from 28 March to 8 November 2026.
Tickets are currently £28 on weekdays and £30 on weekends, with advance booking recommended.
Now let’s talk about the exhibition, shall we?
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What is Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art?
The exhibition traces Schiaparelli from the 1920s to today, looking at how Elsa Schiaparelli turned fashion into something far more radical than just clothes.
Prime example:
Born in Rome in 1890, Schiaparelli lived a life that was far from conventional, eventually becoming one of the most imaginative fashion designers of the 20th century.
What made her so fascinating was her ability to blur the line between art and fashion. She collaborated with artists like Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Jean Cocteau, creating pieces that felt surreal, playful, shocking and, at times, wonderfully bizarre.
The exhibition also brings things into the present day, showing how Schiaparelli’s legacy continues under current creative director Daniel Roseberry, whose designs have made the house feel just as sculptural, dramatic and red-carpet-ready today.
What to See at the Exhibition
There’s a lot to take in here, with over 400 objects on display, including around 100 ensembles, 50 artworks, plus accessories, jewellery, photographs, perfumes and buttons.
Some of the biggest highlights include:
- The Lobster Dress — one of Schiaparelli’s most iconic collaborations with Salvador Dalí, famously worn by Wallis Simpson.
- The Skeleton Dress — an eerie, brilliant black dress with raised quilting to mimic the bones of the body.
- The Shoe Hat — exactly what it sounds like, and a perfect example of Schiaparelli’s surrealist sense of humour.
- The Jean Cocteau Evening Coat — a beautiful double-take piece, with two profile faces creating the illusion of a vase of roses.
- Daniel Roseberry’s modern Schiaparelli pieces — dramatic, sculpture-like, red-carpet-ready designs showing how the house’s surrealist legacy continues today.
🫖 post-exhibition recommendations
For the full Schiaparelli experience, you can also pair your V&A visit with Fashion Becomes Tea at The Kensington, just moments from the museum.
Inspired by the exhibition, the afternoon tea brings Schiaparelli’s playful, surrealist world to the table with couture-inspired savouries, pastries, bold flavours and sculptural details—from a caramel choux “shoe” to an eye-shaped mandarin tart. A lovely shout if you want to make a full South Kensington day of it.
📍 Where: The Kensington, 109-113 Queen’s Gate
💷 Price: From £65 per person
🫖 Best for: Fashion lovers, art lovers, and anyone who likes their afternoon tea with a little glam
Final Thoughts on Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art Exhibition at the V&A
What makes this exhibition feel special is that it doesn’t just treat Schiaparelli as a fashion designer. It shows her as someone who genuinely changed the conversation around what fashion could be.
Overall I found the exhibition beautiful, clever and genuinely inspiring. A well worthy exhibition to add on your V&A visit.
Enjoy!
Practical Bits for Your Visit:
📍 Where: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
🗓️ On From: 28 March – 8 November 2026
💷 Tickets: £28 weekdays / £30 weekends
🚇 Nearest station: South Kensington
Make sure you book ahead, especially for weekend visits.
Thanks for reading my Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art Review. If you end up going, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the exhibition on Instagram.
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