Biography of Elsa Schiaparelli

Italian fashion designer (1896-1973) born in Rome. After studying philosophy she worked as a film scriptwriter in America before venturing to Paris in 1920 and receiving her first order for a black sweater knitted with a white bow, ironically from an American store. Her following designs were innovative and sensational, and she was noted for her use of colour, including 'shocking pink', and also for her outrageous hats and use of zippers and buttons.