Monday, Apr. 02, 2012

Elsa Schiaparelli

Though eventually eclipsed by rival Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli reigned over the fashion world in the years between WW I and WW II. Her daring designs include the famous bowknot sweater, whose stiched-in trompe l'oile gives the impression of a scarf dangling from the neck, and the whimsical shoe hat, which resembled a high heel resting on the head. Besides giving the world the wedge shoe, she also popularized brightly colored zippers on sportswear and created buttons that weren't always round. In 1934, TIME put her on the cover and described her as a rebel who "persecutes the button with morbid zeal" after she used metal coat fasteners in the shape of dollar signs.