Elsa Schiaparelli Exhibit

A trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to view the art and fashion of
Elsa Schiaparelli was just the thing for this group of intrepid quilters and
fabric hounds. Judy, Robin, Annie, Susan, and Suzan gasped at the creative
abilities of this amazing fashion designer. More artist than designer,
her clothing flowed over the body with expertly cut and draped fabric
and fantastic embellishment. Schiaparelli used thread and glitter to enhance
the simple design of the garment to make it bold and different.
One especially remarkable dress and jacket were a perfect example of
her genius. The dress was Schiaparelli’s signature dress, black, close to
the body, cut with a bias flare at the bottom. The jacket was a pale oatmeal
color with a long flowing head, outline embroidered on the left
side of the jacket spaced so the face came to the shoulder and was facing
the wearer. Long blond hair in the form of waves of golden sequins
were embroidered down the left sleeve. Simple but so striking. Hopefully
you’ll get to see this excellent exhibit before it closes on January 4,
2004.

—Judy Fliegelman