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Monday, May 14, 2012

Monday Morning Inspiration

Last Thursday, May 10th, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City opened an exciting new exhibit, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations. The exhibit will run through August 19, 2012.

The Met's Spring 2012 Costume Institute exhibition, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, explores the striking affinities between Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, two Italian designers from different eras. Inspired by Miguel Covarrubias's "Impossible Interviews" for Vanity Fair in the 1930s, the exhibition features orchestrated conversations between these iconic women to suggest new readings of their most innovative work. Iconic ensembles are presented with videos of simulated conversations between Schiaparelli and Prada directed by Baz Luhrmann, focusing on how both women explore similar themes in their work through very different approaches.
The exhibition showcases approximately ninety designs and thirty accessories by Schiaparelli (1890–1973) from the late 1920s to the early 1950s and by Prada from the late 1980s to the present. Drawn from The Costume Institute's collection and the Prada Archive, as well as other institutions and private collections, signature objects by both designers are arranged in seven themed galleries: "Waist Up/Waist Down," "Ugly Chic," "Hard Chic," "Naïf Chic," "The Classical Body," "The Exotic Body," and "The Surreal Body."
Schiaparelli, who worked in Paris from the 1920s until her house closed in 1954, was closely associated with the Surrealist movement and created such iconic pieces as the "Tear" dress, the "Shoe" hat, and the "Bug" necklace. Prada, who holds a degree in political science, took over her family's Milan-based business in 1978, and focuses on fashion that reflects the eclectic nature of Postmodernism. (Taken from The Met's introduction page)

Waist Up/Waist Down


Wallis Simpson in Elsa Schiaparelli Miuccia Prada dress

Wallis Simpson in Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue,
June 1, 1937
Photograph by Cecil Beaton,
Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby's
Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2011
Photograph © David Sims
Diana Vreeland in Elsa Schiaparelli Miuccia Prada dress
Diana Vreeland in Elsa Schiaparelli, Harper's Bazaar, April 1937
Photograph by Louise Dahl-Wolfe
Louise Dahl-Wolfe Archive / © 2012 Center for Creative Photography, Arizona Board of Regents
Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2005
Photograph © Toby McFarlan Pond
Elsa Schiaparelli ensemble Miuccia Prada dress
Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue, September 15, 1938
Photograph by Horst
Horst / Vogue; © Condé Nast
Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 1999
Photograph © Toby McFarlan Pond

Ugly Chic


Elsa Schiaparelli dress Miuccia Prada dress
Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue Paris, February 1927
Photograph by George Hoyningen-Huené
© R.J. Horst
Miuccia Prada, autumn/winter 1996–97
Photograph © Toby McFarlan Pond

Hard Chic


Elsa Schiaparelli for Vogue
Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue, September 15, 1938
Photograph by Regina Relang
Miuccia Prada, autumn/winter 2004–5
Photograph © Toby McFarlan Pond

Naïf Chic


Elsa Schiaparelli ensemble Miuccia Prada ensemble
Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue Paris, June 1949
Photograph by Rutledge
Rutledge @ Vogue Paris
Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2006
Photograph © Toby McFarlan Pond

The Classical Body


Elsa Schiaparelli dress Miuccia Prada dress
Elsa Schiaparelli in Elsa Schiaparelli, autumn
1931
Photograph by Man Ray
© 2012 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
Miuccia Prada, autumn/winter 2004–5
Photograph © Toby McFarlan Pond

The Exotic Body


Elsa Schiaparelli dress Miuccia Prada dress
Elsa Schiaparelli, Vogue, June 1, 1935
Photograph by Horst
Horst / Vogue; © Condé Nast
Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2004
Photograph © Toby McFarlan Pond

The Surreal Body


Elsa Schiaparelli dress Miuccia Prada dress
Elsa Schiaparelli, Harper's Bazaar, February 1935
Photograph by André Durst
Harper’s Bazaar/Hearst Communications, Inc.
Miuccia Prada, autumn/winter 2002–3
Photograph © David Sims
Elsa Schiaparelli dress Miuccia Prada dress
Wallis Simpson in Elsa Schiaparelli, British Vogue, July 10, 1935
Photograph by Cecil Beaton
Cecil Beaton / Vogue © The Condé Nast Publications Ltd
Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2000
Photograph © David Sims
Elsa Schiaparelli ensemble Miuccia Prada ensemble
Elsa Schiaparelli, L'Officiel, October 1937
Photograph by George Saad
Copyright Les Editions Jalou, L'Officiel


Miuccia Prada, spring/summer 2000
Photograph © Toby McFarlan Pond


 In the above photograph you see Prada skirts paired with Schiaparelli jackets.
Prada shoes with Schiaparelli necklaces.
A video about Prada runs in the background with Schiaparelli pieces in the foreground.
The May issue of Vogue Magazine has a feature on the exhibit. Above a Schiaparelli gown from Fall 1938.
Schiaparelli's Mirror Print suit paired with her Flower Vase silk-satin purse, her silk-velvet turban and her Rose necklace of enameled gilt metal. You can see the necklace in the above photograph paired with the Prada shoes.
Garments from Prada.
The skirt pictured below is an absolute favorite of mine. The color, the print, it's so simple and yet, so beautiful.

The catalogue from the exhibit looks to be a must have for any one who loves Schiaparelli, Prada or both. You can read more about the exhibit, see a video and order the exhibit catalogue here
Wishing you all a lovely week full of inspiration!



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4 comments:

  1. This exhibit looks fabulous! I should get out more. ;)

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  2. Thank you for the opportunity to see a part of this fantastic exhibition. It's been a real pleasure.

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  3. Thanks for posting this. I love reading about (and looking at) true couture fashion. And isn't it funny that nothing is really 'new'?

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  4. Yummy - thank you for posting this eye candy. I just might need to go to NYC to see the exhibit!

    ReplyDelete