“Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at the V&A is one of the most inspiring fashion exhibitions I have visited in years.” There is something about visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum that always feels inspiring to me. It is one of my favourite museums in London, and every time they announce a new fashion exhibition, I already know I will probably end up booking it. It had been a while since I visited a truly good exhibition at the V&A. The last ones I absolutely loved were the Naomi: In Fashion exhibition last year, and before that, the iconic DIVA exhibition.
So when I heard about Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, I knew immediately this was one I could not miss.
The exhibition, running until 8 November 2026, is the UK’s first dedicated to the legendary designer Elsa Schiaparelli. It explores her work from the 1920s to the present day and also highlights how the fashion house continues to evolve under creative director Daniel Roseberry.
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Why the Schiaparelli Exhibition at the V&A Is Worth Visiting
If you love fashion history, haute couture, surrealism, luxury craftsmanship or museum exhibitions in London, this exhibition is absolutely worth adding to your list.
What I personally love most about fashion exhibitions is seeing fashion presented as art. And this exhibition does exactly that. Every room feels carefully curated to show how innovative and artistic Schiaparelli’s designs really were.
You can immediately see how much surrealism influenced her work. Her collaborations with artists such as Salvador Dalí are one of the highlights throughout the exhibition. The designs are eccentric, theatrical and bold, but still incredibly elegant and wearable.
Walking through the exhibition, I kept thinking how modern many of the pieces still feel today. Some silhouettes and details even reminded me a little bit of Jean Paul Gaultier, especially the structured tailoring, dramatic shapes and statement details.
Luxurious Fabrics, Strong Silhouettes and Power Dressing
One thing that really stood out to me was the quality of the garments. So many pieces are made from luxurious fabrics like silk and wool, with incredibly structured tailoring that instantly catches your attention. The exhibition beautifully shows how Schiaparelli designed for powerful women. There are stunning blouses, sharp blazers, elegant gilets and garments filled with ornaments and surreal details that make every look stand out.
And then there are the statement dresses.
Honestly, some of these couture pieces are simply breathtaking. The craftsmanship is incredible, and every garment feels like a piece of wearable art. You can clearly understand why Elsa Schiaparelli became one of the most prominent designers between the First and Second World Wars, alongside Coco Chanel.
What I also enjoyed is that the exhibition does not only focus on clothing. You also get to see custom accessories, jewellery, perfumes and other artistic creations from the fashion house. It really gives a complete image of the Schiaparelli universe.
How Long Does the Exhibition Take?
Even though there is a lot to admire, the exhibition itself does not take too long. I spent around 1.5 to 2 hours walking through everything at a relaxed pace, reading most of the descriptions and taking in all the details.
I actually liked that about this exhibition. It feels complete without becoming overwhelming, which means you still have enough time afterwards to enjoy the rest of the museum.
And honestly, the Victoria and Albert Museum is one of those museums where you can easily spend an entire day.
Ending the Day at Viandas
After visiting the exhibition, I ended my afternoon with a sandwich at Viandas nearby at South Kensington tube station, which was honestly the perfect way to finish the day.
That is one of the things I always love about museum days in London. You can combine culture, fashion, architecture and good food all in one afternoon.
Final Thoughts on Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art
If you are interested in fashion exhibitions in London, haute couture history, surrealist fashion or simply beautiful craftsmanship, I would definitely recommend visiting Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at the V&A.
It is inspiring, visually stunning and full of iconic fashion moments. The exhibition perfectly shows how fashion can become art, and why Elsa Schiaparelli still continues to influence designers today.
For me, this was exactly the kind of fashion exhibition I had been missing at the V&A. Beautifully curated, inspiring and easy to explore in an afternoon.
And if you love museums and fashion as much as I do, this exhibition is one you should absolutely not skip while it is still in London until November 2026.
Explore More of the V&A
Want to discover more of the museum beyond the Schiaparelli exhibition? This 1.5-hour Victoria and Albert Museum guided tour explores highlights including the Fashion Galleries, Jewellery Gallery, Cast Courts and wider art and design collections.
This general V&A tour is a separate experience and does not include admission to the ticketed Schiaparelli exhibition.
