Schiaparelli • Good

1950s Schiaparelli Red Cashmere Skirt Suit

£1,275.00

Maison Schiaparelli was founded by Elsa Schiaparelli in 1927 and became renowned for its surrealist haute couture creations. The house closed in 1954 following bankruptcy, but its name continues to hold mythic status in fashion history. In 2014, the brand was revived as a luxury Maison under the direction of Tod’s chairman Diego Della Valle. Less widely known, however, is that Schiaparelli was also briefly revived in the 1980s, with the name licensed for various collections following Elsa’s death in 1973 - we’ve handled remarkable pieces from this period at Circa over the years. Made in the early 1950s, probably under licence for the export markets, this luxurious skirt suit is crafted from pure cashmere in vibrant red. Cut to a boxy style, the cardigan jacket is crafted from soft cashmere with thick woven tweed trim around the curved collar and down the front. It is double-breasted and fastens with buttons covered in coordinating fabric. The jacket is unlined, except around the collar and behind the buttons where it is lined with a layer of tweed backed with tonal satin. The skirt is tailored from the same tonal tweed that trims the cardigan. It is lined in red satin and fastens on the left hip with a hidden zip, hook-and-eye and snap closure. This skirt-suit is in very good, bordering on excellent vintage condition. The only thing we noted were some mild marks on one of the buttons. It is 100% Imported Cashmere and has no size labels - please check our measurements below. Whilst there is some flex on the cardigan - the skirt will only fit a UK 6-8 or US 2-4. MEASUREMENTS CARDIGAN BUST - 40 in. (102 cm) WAIST - 34 in. (86 cm) LENGTH - 19.5 in. (50 cm) MEASUREMENTS SKIRT WAIST - 26 in. (66 cm) HIP - 38 in. (97 cm) LENGTH - 25.5 in. (65 cm)