Schiaparelli Fashion Exhibition, Victoria & Albert Museum London

We may be biased, but we truly believe that some of the world’s best-curated fashion exhibitions take place at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The level of curation is always exceptional, and even after attending countless exhibitions each year, the V&A’s remain some of the most memorable. The Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art exhibition was, of course, no exception.

Moody Lemon - Hair Scrunchie in Citrus Bliss

£20.00

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Having already visited the exhibition twice — and knowing it will not be my last visit — I realised even more how pioneering Elsa Schiaparelli truly was. It is wonderful to see her House revived and her name once again placed firmly in the fashion spotlight. The exhibition beautifully highlights just how modern and ahead of her time she was; many of her creations still feel strikingly current today. In fact, trends we now associate with contemporary fashion — from the fusion of athleisure and luxury fashion to trompe-l'œil garments — were ideas she introduced decades ago.

CELINA-K - Viola Purple Bauble Statement Necklace

£50.00

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When discussing female fashion designers, the first name that often comes to mind is Coco Chanel, but I hope this exhibition brings Elsa Schiaparelli the wider recognition she deserves. Her influence on today’s fashion landscape is undeniable. Reviving such a visionary legacy is no easy task, yet Daniel Roseberry has done an extraordinary job as creative director of the House. By drawing from Schiaparelli’s archives, he has managed to preserve the brand’s DNA — its deep connection to art, surrealism, and theatricality — while simultaneously making it feel modern and distinctly his own. After seeing the exhibition, it becomes clear just how much of Elsa’s creativity continues to inspire his work. The challenge with haute couture today is pushing the boundaries between art and fashion without tipping into costume, and Roseberry navigates that balance brilliantly.

This exhibition is truly a feast for the eyes. In today’s world, marked by economic uncertainty and social crises, we can feel a shift in fashion itself: less embellishment, less craftsmanship, even within haute couture. Visiting this exhibition feels like a breath of fresh air — a celebration of opulence, theatricality, and extravagance. Sometimes, all it takes is an exhibition to bring colour back into an otherwise heavy world. Even if only for an hour, it offers a moment of escape that leaves you energised, inspired, and hopeful for brighter days ahead.

I would recommend setting aside at least an hour to fully enjoy the exhibition. Better yet, if you have a V&A membership, it is absolutely worth returning more than once. The exhibition is incredibly rich and detailed, with so much to absorb that it truly deserves time and revisiting in order to appreciate it fully.

Candles in Pots - Mini Grey Concrete Candle

£20.00

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Get your tickets here or better yet, get the V&A membership.

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