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Schiaparelli: Couture and Culture (In Person)
One-day course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Join us as we explore the craftsmanship and cultural impact of revolutionary fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, and the fashion house’s ground breaking origins- its founder’s London salon, dynamic clientele and contributions to fine art and stage and screen.
Elsa Schiaparelli (1890 – 1973) was one of the world’s most radical fashion designers. Her couture house, the most discussed of interwar Paris, redefined standards of style and perceptions of beauty in the 20th century. You will learn about Schiaparelli’s creative collaborations with artists including Salvador Dalí, Jean Cocteau, Eileen Agar and Leonor Fini, as well as her costumes for stage and screen worn by performers such as Mae West and Zsa Zsa Gabor and independent clients from Peggy Guggenheim to Josephine Baker and Marlene Dietrich to Helena Rubinstein. We’ll explore celebrated, yet little-seen garments, accessories and jewellery from the history of fashion, including objects in the museum’s own collections. You will also gain an exclusive insight into exhibition-making at the V&A, hearing about the creative process behind Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art.
Not able to join us in person? You can also attend the study day online.
This study day will not be recorded.
For more details on how our courses work, see V&A Academy online questions · V&A.
This course is suitable for participants aged 18 and over.
Not able to join us in person? You can also attend the study day online.
This study day will not be recorded.
For more details on how our courses work, see V&A Academy online questions · V&A.
This course is suitable for participants aged 18 and over.
Study Day Leaders
Sonnet Stanfill and Lydia Caston
Sonnet Stanfill is Senior Curator of Fashion at the V&A and Lydia Caston is Project Curator at the V&A
An excellent day which exceeded my expectations Previous V&A Academy Course Attendee
Course overview
This one-day course will focus on the craftsmanship and cultural impact of this innovative couturier and will be taught by V&A curators who will draw upon their own original research.
Topics include:
Women of Fashion
Elsa Schiaparelli in London
Fashion on Stage and Screen
…and many more!
By the end of the study day, you will have learnt about the craft and cultural impact of this innovative couturier and you’ll be taught by V&A curators who will draw upon their own original research. You’ll learn about the fashion house’s groundbreaking origins and about the V&A expertise that has contributed to this exhibition.
Ready to dive deeper? Take a look at the full course programme by clicking 'download programme' below.
Ready to dive deeper? Take a look at the full course programme by clicking 'download programme' below.
V&A Academy. A learning environment you can trust.
Being up close with treasured objects from the V&A's collections brings your learning to life. Spend time with our incredible collections, as well as with our expert tutors and your fellow learners.
Enrol now
One-day course: Schiaparelli: Couture and Culture (In Person)
5 October 2026
£100.00
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
Related events
Header image: Drawing for Schiparelli by Jean Cocteau. Pencil and coloured pencil on paper, 1937. On loan from West Dean (The Edward James Foundation)