Fashion Exhibition: Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art to be staged at London's Victoria & Albert Museum in 2026

London's Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) has unveiled a major exhibition to take place in 2026 : Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, - the first exhibition ever to be staged in the UK devoted entirely to the visionary Italian couturière Elsa Schiaparelli and her eponymous fashion house.

Vogue 1940; Designer Elsa Schiaparelli wearing black silk dress with crocheted collar of her own design and a turban (Photo by Fredrich BakerCondé Nast via Getty Images).

Hosted in the museum’s prestigious Sainsbury Gallery, the retrospective spans more than 200 objects, encompassing garments, accessories, jewellery, perfume bottles, fine art, furniture, archival documents, photography and theatre costume design.

Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, noted that the museum houses Britain’s foremost collection of Schiaparelli garments and praised the designer’s collaborations and theatrical approach as making her an ideal subject for a spectacular exhibition.

Founded in 1927 in Paris, Elsa Schiaparelli is known for revolutionising couture with her fearless imagination, irreverent humour and artistic collaborations—prompting Vogue to dub her “the nexus of fashion, art and performance”.  

'Tears' Evening dress and head veil, designed by Elsa Schiaparelli, February 1938 for Circus Collection, summer 1938. Fabric designed by Salvador Dali (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Exhibition highlights will include iconic couture pieces such as the Skeleton Dress and the Tears Dress, both created in collaboration with Salvador Dalí, the surreal shoe‑hat, inspired by Dalí and now a classic of fashion fantasy, as well as accompanying artworks by Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau and Man Ray, underscoring Schiaparelli’s deep connections with the Surrealist movement.

Vogue 1936; Two models wearing dresses by Schiaparelli. Right: in a dark crepe with bands of gold braids down the front, over satin pajamas; Left, in a black satin with bands of rippled gold ribbons.   
(Photo by Cecil BeatonCondé Nast via Getty Images) 

Ankle-length coat of black silk jersey with facial profiles forming a rose-filled vase, Elsa Schiaparelli, Jean Cocteau and Lesage, London, 1937 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Rare archive materials and pieces from Schiaparelli’s London branch, illuminating her impact on British couture and her personal involvement in UK clientele.  

Schiaparelli by Daniel Roseberry Long sheath gown, Matador Couture collection Haute couture fall-winter 2021–2022 Wool crepe. Gilded brass necklace adorned with rhinestones in the shape of lungs. Patrimoine Schiaparelli, Paris

The exhibition will also feature modern creations from Daniel Roseberry, creative director of Schiaparelli since 2019, whose sculptural gowns and bold aesthetic continue to reflect the founding designer's surrealist spirit.

Delphine Bellini, CEO of the House of Schiaparelli, emphasised that the exhibition celebrates Elsa’s “fearless imagination and radical vision” and highlights her enduring influence through a fusion of creativity and commerce. She commended the V&A for offering the perfect stage to showcase her legacy alongside Roseberry’s contemporary reinterpretations.

All images courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum.

V & A's FASHION IN MOTION: Daniel Lismore featured on August 5

Multidisciplinary artist Daniel Lismore,, hailed by Vogue as "England's Most Eccentric Dresser", will be the next featured designer in the V&A’s Fashion in Motion series. 

To be held in London Victoria &Albert Museum's Raphael Court on the 5 August, the four free fashion presentations will showcase highlights from Lismore’s recent exhibition Be Yourself, Everybody Else is Taken, alongside his new ‘Jubilee’ look on view for the first time.

Lismore is recognisable for creating three-dimensional sculptural ensembles which mesh together past, present and future. His work is a psychedelic mash up of haute couture, charity shop finds and vintage fabrics, and sustainability sits at the heart of Lismore's design philosophy through reuse and upcycling.

Sustainability sits at the heart of Daniel’s design philosophy, and with each ensemble he practices creative re-use and upcycling. 

Twelve life-size ensembles – standing at 6’4” – will be showcased, examining social, historical and cultural themes central to Lismore’s work and life as a ‘living sculpture’. 

Daniel Lismore said: “I am delighted that my sculptural looks will be showcased at the V&A. The pieces are a product of 20 years of collecting, collaboration and travel – each individual accessory, textile and adornment has a unique and personal story. I hope that visitors will be inspired and empowered by my life as a living sculpture to express themselves however they choose.”

Oriole Cullen, V&A Senior Curator Exhibitions said: “Daniel Lismore’s spectacular sculptures embody his unique lived experience, we are excited to present his dramatic and uncompromising vision of beauty and authenticity as part of the V&A’s Fashion in Motion series.”

A prominent fixture on the London Fashion and Art circuits, Daniel was Creative Director of luxury label Sorapol where he dressed Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell, and Boy George amongst others. Daniel has designed for English National Opera and has exhibited at the Venice Biennale, Miami Art Basal and Reykjavik Arts Festival in 2018.

FASHION IN MOTION: Daniel Lismore is supported by Libbie Scher Mugrabi  

Catch “V & A Secrets of the Museum” on BBC iplayer

The V&A Museum's blockbuster exhibition in 2019: Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams 

Photo: Lucia Carpio

If you missed it the first time around, you can still catch up on this six-part documentary – Secrets of the Museum – a unique behind the scenes series filmed at the famous London museum of art, design and performance - the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A).


Great programme to find out more about Pumpie the Elephant, a comforting favourite from the V&A Museum of Childhood, or an exclusive look at the extensive preparation that went into the sell-out blockbuster ChristianDior: Designer of Dreams exhibition.

Presents for Self and Others, from the V&A Collection at Heal’s

While looking for 2017 calendars to gift, I'm glad to find now available at Heal's Christmas Market at their Tottenham Court Road, London flagship store is a selection of wonderful goodies - an edited pick of V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum) products on offer - including not only calendars but also notecards, note books, diaries, interesting children’s books, tote bags and an array of iconic prints.  My favourite is a William Morris colouring book.  All available until Christmas eve.