In the Schiaparelli Spring-Summer 2024 haute couture collection, Elsa Schiaparelli’s legacy of ethereal fashion endures, woven into the very fabric of her eponymous fashion Maison. With a penchant for astrology inherited from her astronomer uncle, Giovanni Schiaparelli, Elsa’s fascination with the stars flows through the veins of her brand, shaping its identity and inspiring generations to come.
For the Spring 2024 haute couture show, creative director Daniel Roseberry embarked on a celestial journey, using the stars as his guiding light. Drawing from Elsa’s childhood explorations of the heavens with her uncle, the collection radiated an otherworldly charm. Dresses were sculpted to celestial perfection, their angles evoking a sense of cosmic wonder. Heavy Western-style buckles clashed against patent sculpted materials, while excessive fringe danced like cosmic dust.
The craftsmanship displayed in this collection was truly stellar as well. Armour-like spines reached skyward, layers of fringe cascaded reminiscent of meteor showers, and funnel collars intricately laced up like corsets. Each garment serves as a testament to the unparalleled artistry of haute couture.
The collection also delved deep into extra-terrestrial textures, a nod to Giovanni Schiaparelli’s discovery of Martian channels and his coinage of the term “Martian”. Roseberry anchored the collection in the contradictions of the avant-garde, citing the fusion of art and nature as a guiding principle. Like celestial chimeras, the garments combined old-world techniques with new-world shapes, resulting in unexpected and mesmerising creations.
Embedded within the collection were nods to both Elsa’s iconic codes and Roseberry’s Texan heritage. From bandanas remade in hand-painted paillettes to cowboy boots reimagined as thigh-high fantasies, each piece bore the hallmark of their creative union. Elsa’s codes, such as the keyhole and measuring tape, were even cleverly woven into the fabric of the designs, serving as secret messages for those who dared to decode them.
As a result, there is a series of profiles both familiar and otherworldly — “part human, part something else.” Each garment whispered tales of cosmic adventures and celestial dreams, a testament to the enduring spirit of Schiaparelli.
In a world where fashion often mirrors the ordinary, Schiaparelli dares to defy it and reach for the stars with every stitch and seam. Not to mention, with Daniel Roseberry at the helm, the Maison continues to push the boundaries of couture, inviting fashion aficionados alike to explore the cosmos through the lens of high fashion.
As we gaze upon these celestial creations, we are reminded that in the vast expanse of the universe, anything is possible — even fashion that transcends earthly bounds. For Schiaparelli, the stars will always be the ultimate muse, guiding us on a journey of cosmic elegance and celestial beauty.