Medium: Wool

Date: c. 1937

Country: France

Credit: Gift of Theodora Pierce

Elsa Schiaparelli may have been best known for her whimsical approach to fashion, but her designs for tailored, functional suits were also quite successful. This example’s red-checked wool hints at the bold colors that characterized Schiaparelli’s palette, and the large, plastic “S” buttons emphasize her love for playful details. The suit was donated by Vogue editor Theodora Pierce; it is emblematic of her status as a successful working woman of the 1930s.

Object Number: 87.70.1