Elsa Schiaparelli’s legacy, steeped in her fascination with astrology and the mystic, finds a contemporary expression in Schiaparelli’s Spring 2024 Haute Couture collection. Under the creative direction of Daniel Roseberry, the collection debuted with a celestial theme, a fitting tribute to the founder who, as a child, explored the heavens with her astronomer uncle, Giovanni Schiaparelli.

Sculpted dresses with otherworldly angles and garments adorned with relics of Y2K technology, circuit boards and pre-2007 tech artifacts, were the stars of the show.

Sculpted dresses with otherworldly angles and garments adorned with relics of Y2K technology, circuit boards and pre-2007 tech artifacts, were the stars of the show.

The setting for this cosmic journey was Paris’ Petite Palais, where the likes of Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, and J.Lo were among the stars in attendance. The collection transported viewers to a realm where fashion intersects with outer space. Sculpted dresses with otherworldly angles and garments adorned with relics of Y2K technology, circuit boards and pre-2007 tech artifacts, were the stars of the show.

Roseberry’s collection was an intriguing blend of contradictions: Western-style buckles met patent materials, and fringe designs commanded attention. His Texas roots were evident, yet his designs firmly established themselves in haute couture’s prestigious realm. The craftsmanship was particularly evident in the backs of dresses, featuring funnel collars, armor-like silver spines, and an abundance of fringe, showcasing a dedication to intricate details from every angle.

With nods to “martians”—a term coined by Elsa Schiaparelli’s uncle—the collection embraced extraterrestrial textures. The invites to the show, reminiscent of The Golden Record from the 1977 Voyager 1 spacecraft, added to the otherworldly allure. Roseberry’s work is a testament to the combination of art and nature, creating objects that merge contrasting elements into something startlingly new and unexpected.

The collection’s finale was met with enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation, a rare occurrence in the typically reserved haute couture world, signaling the undeniable impact of Schiaparelli’s Spring 2024 collection. Roseberry’s designs not only honored the brand’s historic roots but also propelled it into a future, highlighting the enduring influence of Elsa Schiaparelli’s fascination with the cosmos, and the way it beautifully translates into contemporary high fashion.

Ntianu Obiora
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Ntianu Obiora is a versatile creative professional with over a decade of experience in publishing, marketing, communications, and digital strategy. She is the Online Editor at THEWILL DOWNTOWN