The V&A’s New Schiaparelli Exhibition Is the Most Exciting Fashion Event of 2026

The Schiaparelli exhibition V&A is now open, and it’s already being called the must-see fashion event of 2026. Titled Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, the show brings together more than 400 objects spanning nearly a century of one of fashion’s most daring houses. If you’re thinking about visiting, here’s everything you need to know.

What Is the Schiaparelli Exhibition V&A About?

This is the first exhibition in the UK dedicated entirely to the house of Schiaparelli. It traces the story from founder Elsa Schiaparelli’s groundbreaking work in 1920s and 1930s Paris through to the current creative director Daniel Roseberry’s viral couture moments.

The show is housed in the Sainsbury Gallery at the V&A in South Kensington, London. It opened on 28 March 2026 and runs until 8 November 2026, giving visitors a generous window to plan their trip.

Expect to see some truly iconic pieces. The Tears Dress and Skeleton Dress from 1938 – both created with Salvador Dali – are displayed alongside artworks by Picasso, Jean Cocteau and Man Ray. There’s also the famous lobster dress, the shoe hat (one of surrealism’s most recognisable fashion objects) and an evening coat designed with Cocteau featuring an optical illusion of two faces.

Ticket Prices and How to Book

Tickets for the Schiaparelli exhibition V&A are priced at £28 on weekdays and £30 on weekends. If you’re under 26, weekend tickets drop to £20. V&A members get free entry, which is worth considering if you visit regularly – annual membership starts at £74.

Booking in advance is strongly recommended. The first three weeks sold out rapidly, and weekend slots continue to fill up fast. You can book timed entry slots directly through the V&A website. Midweek mornings tend to be quieter if you want a more comfortable viewing experience.

Who Was Elsa Schiaparelli?

Elsa Schiaparelli was an Italian-born designer who arrived in Paris in the 1920s and quickly became one of the most inventive figures in fashion history. While her contemporary Coco Chanel favoured understated elegance, Schiaparelli went in the opposite direction entirely.

She collaborated with surrealist artists including Dali and Cocteau, producing garments that blurred the line between fashion and fine art. A handbag shaped like a telephone. An evening gown embroidered with a lobster. A dress printed with newspaper clippings. These weren’t publicity stunts – they were genuine creative experiments that influenced designers for generations.

Her legacy is central to the Schiaparelli exhibition V&A, which showcases many of these innovations. She also invented shocking pink (now known as Schiaparelli pink), pioneered the use of zippers as decorative elements and created some of the first designer perfumes. Her influence runs through the work of everyone from Alexander McQueen to Rei Kawakubo.

How Daniel Roseberry Is Continuing the Legacy

The exhibition doesn’t just look backwards. A significant portion is dedicated to Daniel Roseberry, the American designer who has led Schiaparelli since 2019. His couture collections regularly reference Elsa’s archives while pushing them into thoroughly modern territory.

You’ll likely recognise some of his work even if you don’t follow fashion closely. The gold body armour worn by celebrities on red carpets, the oversized jewellery shaped like body parts, the sculptural silhouettes that dominate fashion photography – these are direct descendants of Elsa’s original creative impulse.

This part of the Schiaparelli exhibition V&A places his pieces alongside the vintage originals, making the connections explicit. It’s a compelling argument that Schiaparelli isn’t just a heritage brand trading on nostalgia but an active creative force.

Why This Exhibition Matters for Fashion in 2026

The Schiaparelli exhibition V&A arrives at a moment when fashion is embracing boldness again. The spring 2026 colour trends lean heavily towards expressive shades and maximalist styling. Surrealist motifs have been appearing on runways from London to Milan. In many ways, fashion in 2026 is circling back to what Schiaparelli was doing a hundred years ago.

The V&A has a strong track record with fashion exhibitions. Their Alexander McQueen show in 2015 and Christian Dior exhibition in 2019 both broke attendance records. Early reports suggest the Schiaparelli show has been given the same level of ambition and care, with the exhibition design itself drawing praise from critics.

Practical Tips for Visiting

If you’re planning to visit the Schiaparelli exhibition V&A, allow yourself at least two hours. With over 400 objects spread across multiple themed sections, there’s a lot to take in, and the display design rewards careful attention. The V&A itself is free to enter, so you can combine your visit with the permanent galleries.

The nearest Tube station is South Kensington, which is a short walk from the museum entrance. If you’re making a day of it, the surrounding area has plenty of options for browsing fashion in the boutiques along Brompton Road and Sloane Street.

The Schiaparelli exhibition V&A also has a dedicated shop selling catalogues, prints and Schiaparelli-inspired merchandise. The exhibition catalogue is particularly good if you want to continue exploring the topic at home.

Is the Schiaparelli V&A exhibition suitable for children?

Yes. There’s no age restriction and the V&A offers family-friendly guides for many of its exhibitions. Children under 12 enter free. That said, it’s primarily aimed at adults with an interest in fashion history and art, so younger children may find parts of it less engaging.

How long does the Schiaparelli exhibition take to see?

Most visitors at the Schiaparelli exhibition V&A spend between 90 minutes and two hours. If you’re a keen fashion enthusiast who wants to read every label and examine every garment closely, you could easily spend longer. The audio guide adds around 20 minutes to the experience.

Can you take photos at the Schiaparelli exhibition at the V&A?

The V&A generally allows non-flash photography in its exhibitions, though specific restrictions can apply to certain objects on loan. Check the signage when you arrive, but you should be able to photograph most of the display for personal use.