Schiaparelli & the artists

In this illustration by Christian Bérard, we recognise the new silhouette, called “cigarette”, invented by Schiaparelli for her Winter 1939-40 Haute Couture collection. The garment skimmed the contours of the body and the slim line was softened by gathers.

Elsa Schiaparelli proclaimed a deep admiration for her friend Christian Bérard, called “Bébé”. In her autobiography Shocking Life, she wrote “To be approved and admired – and sometimes befriended – by Bébé was a consecration in the artistic, social and intellectual world of Paris”. The multi-talented artist collaborated numerous times with Elsa Schiaparelli. He created fashion illustrations, exclusive prints and even a painted folding screen for the showroom of her Couture House.