Schiaparelli at the V&A: London’s must-see fashion exhibition of 2026

Apr 21, 2026

Few names in fashion are as bold and unforgettable as Schiaparelli. This new exhibition at the V&A celebrates the designer who turned clothing into art with surreal, playful and glamorous creations.

If you are looking for one of London’s most stylish cultural outings in 2026, this is the show to see!

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON invites you to step inside one of the capital’s most unmissable exhibitions.

The exhibition: step into a surrealist dream

This new exhibition at the V&A is the UK’s first major show dedicated to the fashion house, tracing its story from the 1920s to today under Elsa Schiaparelli and current creative director Daniel Roseberry.

The Schiaparelli exhibition at the V&A brings together over 200 objects, tracing the history of the fashion house from the 1920s to today, including more than 100 couture looks, artworks by Salvador Dalí, Picasso and Man Ray, as well as jewellery, accessories, perfumes and striking archival pieces. I found it completely unique and truly unforgettable!

The display shows how Schiaparelli consistently pushed fashion into more imaginative territory, blending clothing with art and surrealism in unexpected ways.

Highlights include the iconic Tears Dress and Skeleton Dress, both created in collaboration with Salvador Dalí. Alongside these historic pieces, more recent designs, including Ariana Grande’s 2025 Oscars gown, highlight the continued influence of the house today.

Elsa Schiaparelli: The woman who rewrote fashion rules

Elsa Schiaparelli didn’t follow fashion; she challenged it, twisted it, and turned it into something entirely her own. Born in Rome into an intellectual aristocratic family and with no formal training, she built her career on imagination, instinct and a fearless approach to design.

At a time when simplicity defined much of Parisian fashion, Schiaparelli went in the opposite direction. She embraced bold ideas, unexpected materials and surreal details that made her work instantly recognisable.

She also collaborated closely with major artists of the time, including Salvador Dalí, Man Ray and Jean Cocteau, creating pieces that blurred the line between fashion and art.

The house originally closed in 1954, after Elsa Schiaparelli left the fashion industry as the post-war fashion landscape shifted towards a more minimal, commercial direction led by designers like Dior. Her daring, artistic approach no longer matched the mood of the time.

Decades later, the Schiaparelli name was revived in the 21st century, bringing the house back to Paris with a renewed focus on craftsmanship, imagination and surrealism under creative director Daniel Roseberry.

Schiaparelli understood impact. Her designs were worn by major cultural figures of her era and appeared in film, theatre and high society, ensuring her work was always seen. It's amazing to see that her influence still incredibly powerful today.

The V&A: a natural fit for fashion and art

If you’ve never been to the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, this exhibition is the perfect reason to go. And if you have, you already know why it’s special.

The V&A is one of the world’s leading museums of art and design, housed in a building that feels like a masterpiece in itself, with grand galleries, sweeping staircases and ornate details at every turn.

Beyond the Schiaparelli exhibition, it offers an exceptional permanent collection spanning fashion, furniture, jewellery, ceramics and more. All free to visit.