Brilliant, witty and liberated, Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973) was a key figure in the world of mid-20th century fashion. From her first sweaters in 1927, decorated with trompe-l’oeil bow motifs, to her baroque gowns of the early 1950s, via her designs inspired by her friendship with Surrealist artists – the lobster dress and shoe-hat inspired by Salvador Dalí, and her collaborations with Man Ray and Jean Cocteau – this striking and talented woman shaped fashion history with her vivid imagination. Her salons in the Place Vendôme were designed by Jean-Michel Frank, and her designs immortalized in sketches by Leonor Fini and Marcel Vertès. Diving into the world of Schiaparelli is a fascinating journey into the heart of Paris couture.