For all lovers of the eccentric fashion and style of Schiaparelli 23 January is a date to mark on your calendar. But not because it is scheduled the first parade of the much waited collection signed by Marco Zanini, recently named Creative Director of the historical maison.
On this date it will go to auction in the golden salons of Christie’s clothes, photographs, mementos and personal objects of Elsa Schiaparelli inherited by her nephew, the beautiful model and actress Marisa Berenson. The auction, called “The Personal Collection of Elsa Schiaparelli “ contains also in her catalog furniture, photos, paintings and bibelot decorating the Hotel Particulier purchased in 1937 by the couturier in rue de Berry (demolished many years ago to make way for modern buildings). A legendary address, residence of Elsa Schiaparelli and Marisa Berenson, who lived in the attic of his grandmother during the Swinging Sixties. Marisa Berenson said: “My grandmother was an inspiration and always has been, and now I think it’s very important for younger generations to know who she was, to have a taste of that wonderful world that she lived in, that she created, that she left behind her. I’m very much one of those people who lives in the present – obviously the past is precious because of everything it means emotionally and because of the legacy one has oneself in one’s genes and the culture and the richness that it’s brought to one’s life, but I think that’s all inside of me and there are certain things that I don’t need to carry around all my life. There comes a time when you want to let go of things, because life changes. I think my grandmother’s personal belongings will inspire future generations; this is an extraordinary and fascinating legacy.”
“The Personal Collection of Elsa Schiaparelli “
Horst P. Horst (1906-1999), Elsa Schiaparelli, Paris 1936,
Gelatin Silver print, 8¼ x 5⅜ in, signed in pencil on the mount
Estimate: €10,000-12,000/£9,000-11,000/$14,000-16,000
“The Personal Collection of Elsa Schiaparelli “
A bolero jacket in ice blue crêpe, 1940
estimate: €15,000-20,000/ £14,000-18,000/$21,000-27,000
“The Personal Collection of Elsa Schiaparelli “
An unusual yellow linen blouse, with beadwork and black and white floral trim, 1940
estimate: €10,000-15,000/ £9,000-13,000 /$14,000-20,000
“The Personal Collection of Elsa Schiaparelli “
The Astrologie collection
A violet silk blouse from 1939
Estimate: €25,000-30,000/ £23,000-27,000/ $34,000-41,000
“The Personal Collection of Elsa Schiaparelli “
A pink wool bolero, with jet bead trim, 1940
estimate: €12,000-15,000/ £11,000-14,000 /$16,000-21,000
“The Personal Collection of Elsa Schiaparelli “
Two Hammamet robes, Tunisia, 20th century
Estimate: €1,000-2,000/£900 – 1,800/ $1,400-2,800
Schiaparelli in her Jean-Michel Frank-designed apartment, decorated with personal items from her artist friends
