Saturday, 14 May 2011

Elsa Schiaparelli's Lobster Dress Inspired by Dali



Whilst reading Elsa Schiaparelli's book I came across the Lobster dress. The simple white silk evening dress with a crimson waistband, designed by Schiaparelli in 1937 caught my eye because it featured a large lobster painted on the skirt by Dali.






The infamous Lobster dress, a design collaboration with Salvador Dali was worn by Wallis Simpson in a series of photographs by Cecil Beaton taken at the Chateau do Cande shortly before her marrige to Edward VIII.






Dali placed the lobster amongst parsley springs on the front of the skirt. Master silk designer Sache transleted the sketch to the fabric.



Vogue devoted an eight-page spread ti the results.






Apparently, for Dali the lobster had sexual connotations. As a result, his placemant of the lobtser thus charged the design with erotic tension.






I personally am drawn to the dress as I find that placeing; somewhat classed as an "ugly creature" upon a beautiful dress, works a really great contrast.

No comments:

Post a Comment