Dali Fashion Show and Gala Dinner Schiaparelli

These days, collaborations between a fashion firm and an artist happen on every medium and at every turn. But and so in that location's collaboration betwixt 2 icons—like Salvador Dalí and Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930s. The artists' creative conceptualism collided and now, more than 80 years later, we accept a newDalí & Schiaparelli exhibition opening tomorrow, October 18, through Jan 14, 2018, at The Dalí Museum. It'south a grand collaboration of its own—and i 2.5 years in the making—between The Dalí and Schiaparelli Paris, with loans from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum and others.

The Shoe-Hat

Dalí met Schiaparelli through fellow artists like Cocteau, Magritte and Man Ray. Both artists delighted in the power of Surrealism to shock the way and fine art worlds, and and so their successful partnership was built-in. Memorable and iconic fashion history ensued, likeShoe-Hat, which evolved from a photograph past Gala of Dalí irreverently posing with a shoe on his head. And then there's the 1937 Lobster Clothes (a personal fave), which was born from a Dalí cartoon of an massive crimson lobster on a simple white organdy evening gown, symbolic of his endless obsession with sexual practice.  It'southward difficult to chose which became more famous, the dress or its owner, the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson.

Left: Woman'due south Dinner Dress. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Souvenir of Mme Elsa Schiaparelli, 1969-232-52. Correct: Schiaparelli Haute Couture, Jump/Summer 2017

An unexpected bonus of the exhibit is a drove of the recent Schiaparelli years featuring the work of Design Manager Bertrand Guyon. This likable genius non just flew in from Paris for the opening, he also made time for a few of my questions post-printing tour. Beneath, Bertrand shares insights on everything from his admiration of Elsa Schiaparelli to which slice he'd never seen before to what he likes to mind to while designing. You don't want to miss this...

Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí, circa 1949. Paradigm rights of Salvador Dalí reserved. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Figueres, 2017.

Schiaparelli blueprint director Bertrand Guyon

Now that yous are almost 3 years in as Design Managing director of Schiaparelli'southward haute couture and prêt-à-couture collections, tell me what you've learned working at this renowned fashion firm.

I knew some of Schiaparelli; however, I discovered more of her story as I sorted through the athenaeum, especially the sketches from the 1930s to 1950s. I learned aspects of her piece of work that I didn't know—not but the inspiration and collaboration with artists similar Dalí, Cocteau and Giacometti, but the bottom known details [in her designs], which inspired me a lot. I discovered the incredible talent of how she cut a garment—she was a real genius, a real artist, ahead of her time, but also a "couturière." She tailored the nearly cute dresses in black and blueish-marine, for day and cocktail—and so not just the shocking pink she was known for. I dear to follow her vision – every day I learn. I'm a educatee of Schiaparelli.

Left: Evening Clothes (Skeleton Clothes), 1938 Collection of the Salvador Dalí. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Artists Rights Club (ARS), New York 2017; Courtesy of © Schiaparelli archives. Right: Dalí's Study of figures for Skeleton Dress, 1938. Ink on paper. Collection of the Schiaparelli archives, Paris; © Salvador Dalí. Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí (Artists Rights Society), 2017.

How does creating at 21 Identify Vendôme, the very location where Elsa Schiaparelli worked, inspire your arc on her legacy?

I am in awe. The walls "speak" to me in my modest studio part on the top floor. The space is total of antique pieces from Schiaparelli's ain collection, which are paired with my favorite things. I work facing a personal portrait of Schiaparelli by Maurice van Moppes—I am very fortunate to accept it, she "talks" to me. "Maybe she likes this, possibly she doesn't like that," I joke, only I practise experience her presence there.

Schiaparelli evening gown.

I know it'southward difficult to play favorites with the exhibit, but I must inquire: Is there a particular slice of fashion memorabilia here that you fell for?

Aye, one that I had never seen earlier. I'm in love with the blackness garment [above]—information technology'southward genius with the zip on the shoulders and situated in a higher place the hips. It's beautifully made and very modern.  And, information technology looks comfortable, which for me is important.  The piece must be wearable, even though information technology is art. This is non theater. These are real clothes.

Besides, I love that all the jackets were originally designed with gowns. I believe Schiaparelli was the first to introduce the jacket in evening dress. The jackets are works of fine art with incredibly thoughtful embroidery.

Schiaparelli Haute Couture, Fall/Winter 2016-17

Finally, how do you lot discover inspiration for your designs year afterward year?

I attempt to put a immature, fresh, lightness into my collections. And, everything inspires me – books, any book and also some by and almost Schiaparelli, movies and music. I particularly love Kate Bush, and when I work I beloved Arcade Fire.

Wedding wearing apparel of Sabine Getty.

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