Curator Sonnet Stanfill reveals the remarkable craftsmanship behind one of Schiaparelli’s most striking creations, showcasing its bold, flat-strip embroidery technique, created by the iconic Parisian atelier Maison Lesage.
Originally worn by Doris Castlerosse – socialite and rumoured one-time lover of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill – the coat features an eye-catching 'trompe-l'oeil' (trick-of-the-eye) device on the back, created for Schiaparelli by Jean Cocteau.
Go behind the scenes to see how the coat has been expertly conserved by the V&A's Conservation team, ready for display in the Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art exhibition.
