On 28 March 2026, the Victoria and Albert Museum unveils a landmark exhibition that redefines the language of style. “Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art”, housed in the Sainsbury Gallery, is more than a retrospective; it is an immersion into a world where garments transcend function and become objects of fantasy, rebellion and artistic dialogue.

At its heart stands Elsa Schiaparelli, a woman who famously declared that dressmaking was not a profession, but an art. Spanning from the 1920s to the present day, the exhibition traces her meteoric rise and enduring influence, from her radical beginnings in Paris to the Maison’s contemporary revival under Daniel Roseberry.

Across more than 400 objects, the exhibition unfolds like a surrealist narrative. Iconic creations – such as the Skeleton dress and the ethereal Tears dress – appear alongside whimsical accessories, archival treasures, and works by artistic giants including Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau. Together, they reveal a creative universe where fashion converses freely with art, theatre and performance.

The journey begins with Schiaparelli’s radical rethinking of the modern wardrobe – where trompe l’oeil knits and daring silhouettes disrupted convention. It evolves into a constellation of collaborations, where her alliances with surrealist minds gave birth to some of fashion’s most imaginative pieces. Here, a lobster becomes a motif, a shoe transforms into a hat, and garments challenge perception itself.

Beyond Paris, the exhibition casts light on Schiaparelli’s global reach, including her influential London salon and her role in shaping a new, modern femininity. From aristocratic clients to cinematic icons, her designs dressed a generation that embraced boldness and individuality.

The final chapter threads past into present. Under Roseberry’s direction, Schiaparelli’s codes are reimagined for a new era – sculptural, provocative and unapologetically artistic. Red carpet moments worn by Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa stand as contemporary echoes of Elsa’s fearless vision.

Ultimately, “Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art” is not simply an exhibition; it is a testament to the power of imagination. In a world often bound by convention, Schiaparelli reminds us that fashion, at its most extraordinary, does not merely adorn the body – it transforms reality itself.