Style Imitating Art: Cravat Jumper by Elsa Schiaparelli
About Style Imitating Art
Style Imitating Art is hosted by Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks, Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, and Terri of Meadowtree Style. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as curator, selects an inspiration image that they will each post on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the curator by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the curator will share all of the submissions on her blog.
You do not have to be a blogger to join. You are invited to share your images on Instagram or other social media platforms or you can just play along and the host will share your photo. If you do share on social media, please spread the word by using #TeamLOTSStyle and #StyleImitatingArt and also tag the hosts Salazar, Terri, and Daenel so they know you have joined. Go have some fun in your closets and join the SIA challenge next week!
The Inspiration Artwork
The inspiration artwork was curated by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey. You can read why she has chosen this specific piece as her inspiration artwork here.
Cravat Jumper by Elsa Schiaparelli (Hand Knitted Wool, 1927)
I also submitted a photograph of Radical Ralphie in his version of the cravat jumper. Both of my boys have worn this sweater to death. It was one of my favorites and one of theirs as well! I think they might both have school photos wearing this sweater. And this sweater design would not even exist if not for Elsa Schiaparelli.
About the Artist: Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973)
Elsa Schiaparelli was an Italian fashion designer born in Rome on September 10, 1890, to a Neapolitan aristocrat (mother) and an accomplished Piedmontese scholar (father). The Schiaparelli’s had an extensive cultural and academic background which served as a catalyst for Elsa’s imaginative creativity. The familial sources of information about ancient cultures and religious belief systems led to Elsa writing a volume of poems based on the ancient Greek myth of the hunt. The content alarmed her conservative parents so much that they sent her to a convent boarding school in Switzerland in an attempt to tame her wild imagination.
But Elsa wasn’t having it and as soon as she was within the confines of the school she rebelled against its strict authority by going on a hunger strike which forced her parents to bring her home. Although her life at home was refined and comfortable, Elsa found it cloistered and unfulfilling as her desire for adventure and exploration of the world grew stronger. She eventually accepted a post caring for orphaned children in an English country house, however, it was a disagreeable position for her. So she left and planned a stop in Paris not wanting to return to Rome admitting defeat.
In her early 20s, Schiaparelli’s parents were pushing her into a marriage with a wealthy Russian whom they favored but Elsa felt nothing for him. To avoid the marriage, Elsa fled to London. After her arrival there, she was able to indulge her childhood fascination with psychic phenomena when she attended a lecture on theosophy given by Willem de Wendt (aka Wilhelm Frederick Wendt de Kerlor). He claimed to have psychic powers and made his living as a detective and criminal psychologist, doctor, and lecturer. Elsa was immediately attracted to his charismatic nature and they were engaged the day after their first meeting. They were married in London on July 21, 1914, when Elsa was 23 years old and her new husband was 30.
As her husband continued trying to make a name for himself as a psychic practitioner, the couple subsisted primarily on Elsa’s wedding dowry and allowance provided by the Schiaparelli’s. Elsa continued to play an active role in helping her husband promote his fraudulent schemes which resulted in their deportation from England. They subsequently lived a nomadic lifestyle in Paris, Cannes, Nice, and Monte Carlo before eventually moving to America in the spring of 1916. They initially settled in Greenwich Village, New York, and eventually moved to an apartment in Central Park West. Wilhelm established his Bureau of Psychology where he hoped to achieve fame and fortune for his paranormal and consulting work. During this time period, Elsa and her husband came under FBI investigation as suspected Bolshevik sympathizers and Communist revolutionaries. However, both were spared prosecution and deportation.
On June 15, 1920, Elsa gave birth to a daughter, Maria Luisa Yvonne Radha, nicknamed Gogo. Shortly after Gogo’s birth, Wilhelm moved out leaving Elsa alone to raise their daughter. Gogo was diagnosed with polio at the age of 18 months which was challenging for both mother and child. When Gogo was old enough to inquire about her father, Elsa told her that he was dead. She never sought support payments or any other assistance from her estranged husband. Prior to her return to France in 1922, Elsa changed Gogo’s surname to Schiaparelli because she feared her husband would attempt to gain custody of the child.
Elsa then moved back to New York where she became actively involved in creative circles that included some of the most prominent artists of the time. She divorced her husband in 1924 and in 1928 he was murdered in Mexico under circumstances that have never been revealed.
Schiaparelli’s fashion career was strongly influenced by French designer Paul Poiret. She was drawn to his styles that enabled freedom of movement for the modern woman. With no technical training in pattern making or clothing construction, Elsa’s design method relied on impulse and serendipitous inspiration that unfolded as the work progressed. She would drape fabrics directly on the body, frequently using herself as a model, which resulted in uncontrived and wearable garments.
While living in Paris, Elsa began making her own clothing and with the encouragement of Poiret, she opened her own business which met positive reviews but still closed in 1926. In 1927, she launched a new collection of knitwear using a special double layered stitch with surrealist trompe-l’œil images. Her first designs appeared in Vogue, but it was the pattern that gave the impression of a scarf wrapped around the wearer’s neck that really launched Elsa’s fashion design career. By 1939, Schiaparelli was so well known in intellectual circles that Irish poet Louis MacNeice referred to her as the “epitome of modernity”.
When France declared war on Germany in 1939, it set a darker tone for Schiaparelli’s designs. Her Spring 1940 collection featured trench browns and camouflage printed taffetas. Soon after the fall of Paris in June of 1940, Elsa returned to New York City where she remained until the end of the war. During the post war period, the House of Schiaparelli struggled, eventually resulting in the discontinuation of her couture business in 1951 and her complete closure in 1954, the same year that her greatest rival, Coco Chanel, returned to the fashion business.
In 1954, Schiaparelli published her autobiography, Shocking Life, and then lived out the rest of her days comfortably between her residences in Paris and Tunisia. She died on November 13, 1973, at the age of 83.
Schiaparelli was one of the first designers to create the wrap dress and to use visible zippers in dress design. She was also known for her use of unusual buttons, novelty designs in costume jewelry, and innovative textiles. However, the failure of her business in 1954 left her name in the shadows of her rival Coco Chanel.
About the Art: Cravat Jumper
In 1927, Schiaparelli launched her new sweater design using the trompe-l’oeil effect which created the optical illusion of a scarf tied around the neck of the wearer. The simplicity of this hand knitted garment reflected the more relaxed attitude in women’s fashion in the 1920’s.
The geometric outline of the bow’s curves is an avoidable feature of hand knitting which Elsa exploited in her later designs that aligned with the Surrealist Movement. Schiaparelli wore her Cravat Jumper to a society luncheon where it was met with remarkable attention that landed her numerous orders. Subsequent designs followed featuring trompe-l’oeil ties and handkerchieves. This jumper is currently part of the Cecil Beaton Collection.
Resources/References:
- The Forgotten Couturier Elsa Schiaparelli: Surrealism, Art and Revolutionary Fashion
- Style File – Elsa Schiaparelli
- Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973) (The Met)
- Wikipedia: Elsa Schiaparelli
- Shocking Life: An Homage to the Famous Firsts of a Legendary Couturier
- Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973) (Business of Fashion)
- Cravat by Elsa Schiaparelli
About My Outfit Inspired by Cravat Jumper
This outfit styling was sort of serendipitous. I had worn this dress with my floral cowboy boots and cowboy hat a few times before photographing it. Wanting very much to capture this outfit in pictures, I had gotten dressed on the day that the new Style Imitating Art prompt was announced. It seemed that my dress was exactly the right color to mimic the sweater so all I really needed was something representative of the trompe-l’oeil scarf. A long skinny scarf in ivory tied in a bow at my neck was the perfect solution. Plus it also reminds me of the Western inspired lariat necklaces. I added some lightly colored beaded bracelets on both wrists to reflect the lighter colored cuffs on the sweater.
It’s a simple outfit but I have received many compliments on it the few times I have worn it. Mostly the compliments are directed at my floral cowboy boots (because they are pretty freaking fabulous), but a lady in the grocery store stopped me to comment that my entire outfit was beautiful. And that lady had some serious style, too. She was wearing a little black dress with the most wonderful brightly colored kimono. And you know how I feel about wonderful brightly colored kimonos! She, of course, received an enthusiastic compliment in return.
To see more outfits inspired by Elsa Schiaparelli’s Cravat Jumper, please visit Salazar’s post for the complete roundup of submissions. You can also read the details of Salazar’s own inspired outfit here, Terri’s here, and Daenel’s here. Have you joined the Style Imitating Art challenges yet? Be sure to check for the next prompt on Monday, July 19, 2021.
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Dress-Torrid / Boots-Country Outfitter / Hat-Tractor Supply / Jewelry and Scarf-Very Old
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
34 Comments
Suzy Turner
OMG Shelbee, I can totally understand why you receive compliments about your outfit. It’s gorgeous! I love everything about it—and yes, the boots are totally swoon-worthy! I’m in love with the dress too, of course. It looks perfect for this time of year. And how cute is Ralphie?!! (Did I get his name right this time? LOL!!)
Elsa Schiaparelli’s history is quite extraordinary, isn’t it? What an incredible woman!
I hope you’re really well, Shelbee.
Big hugs, my friend
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Hehe, thanks so much, Suzy! It is a really comfortable dress, too! Perfect for PMS bloating and cramping days! Haha. I am suffering from that at the moment. It is like a full body rebellion going on here.
Yes! You did get Ralphie’s name right this time. LOL
I was so fascinated by Elsa Schiaparelli’s history. I was not at all familiar with her, other than her name, before this prompt. One of the main reasons I love this Style Imitating Art series so much!
I hope you are having a most fabulous week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy
I can totally empathise with you, Shelbee. I’m suffering today too. Such a bummer! I’m on the sofa, after having finally given up and taken some paracetamol. I hope you feel better soon, lovely!
I’m so glad I finally got the right name lol!!!
Hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh no! I am so sorry that you are struggling with the same today! I just caved in and took some ibuprofen and then smoked some pot. I am sitting on the couch, sipping tea, slowly making my way through blog posts. I hope your discomfort eases soon, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
I always love learning about the art and the artists!!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennifer! I am so glad that you enjoy it. I really love learning about it, too! I need to give myself more time to research though…I always feel so rushed trying to get the post written that I don’t research as thoroughly as I’d prefer. Have a great day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara
What a beautiful dress! Quite envious of the waves in ur hair too! Enjoy these sweet summer days
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Barbara! Oooh, the waves in my hair…I finally found a method that will give me waves that last for more than just an hour! When my hair is still a little damp, I curl it up in these flexible bendy hair rollers for a few hours. Right before I take out the rollers, I put the hair dryer on high for just a few minutes to set the curls and dry any residual dampness. Then I take them out and fluff my hair a bit and the waves actually will last 2-3 days until I wash my hair again!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
What a story. She was some brave woman. Thanks for the history lesson I enjoyed reading it. That’s a gorgeous outfit, dresses and ankle boots are perfection!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I was really fascinated by her story as well. I need to go read some more about her!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
Oh, that dress is just perfect! No wonder you got compliments: all of this put together is so cute! And each time you style this hat, I tell myself I need a similar one but I am 10 days in of no shopping so I think I will just put one in my cart to get in September.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! This dress is so stinking comfortable, too! It is sort of a medium weight stretchy cotton. I think it will transition nicely into fall. And oh my gosh, you will look so adorable in a cowboy hat! I can’t wait to see what you get in September!
xoxo
Shelbee
Terri Gardner
Love this whole vibe you put together. During her heyday, Schiarapelli rocked. Did you run across her show hat or lobster dress while you were researching. Of course, they are just two of many. She has caused me to spend too many hours hunting for cool insect buttons to put on my clothing!
Your son’s sweater just hit it out of the ball park.
Take care, Terri
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Terri! I did see the lobster dress but I can’t remember where I found it. I did not come across her show hat though. I was scrolling through some of the images in the Cecil Beaton Collection but he has hundreds upon hundreds of her designs photographed in his collection! When I have time to sit down and scroll through them all, I am going to! I love that you have been searching for bug buttons inspired by the fabulous Elsa! And the sweater on my Ralphie…Oh my gosh, I could not resist that when I spotted it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
What a fabulous recreation! I am really wracking my brain now… I know I came across a reference to this sweater in a book I was reading because I had to Google it to see what it looked like… but now I can’t remember what book it was!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Joanne! I have always like sweaters of this type (clearly since I bought one for my kids), but I had no idea where the style originated so this was really fun for me to research. Were you reading a book on fashion history? Or maybe just pop culture or something like that? You have to go back into your book review posts…maybe that will trigger your memory! Because now I am super curious which book referenced this sweater!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
I know it was a historical fiction novel… I’d guess The Dressmaker’s Gift or The Gown since they both deal with fashion but I’m just not sure. I did try a few google searches and found another book I can’t wait to read now called The Last Collection that is supposed to be all about Elsa and Cocoa Chanel.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I just Google searched as well to see if I could find where this sweater may have been referenced in literature, but all I came up with was a bunch of books that I want to read now, too!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
You are so creative!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Tamar! These art prompts definitely help to keep my creativity flowing!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anita Ojeda
I love reading these life imitating art posts, Shelbee! I always learn so much :). It IS a darling outfit, and the boots are fabulous. I have a pair of cowboy boots, but I’ve only ever worn them for working in the horse corrals and riding horses ;). they are really cute, though, so I should get some good leather cleaner and clean them up for fashion wear, too!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Anita, thank you so much! I am so glad that you enjoy these art posts. I really have a great time doing the research and styling something according to the art prompt. I just wish I had more time for the research part. People fascinate me so much especially those with rich artistic backgrounds and I can get carried away finding out more! I hope you get the chance to clean up your cowboy boots and take them out for a less muddy stylish spin! So fun! I love my small collection of cowboy boots!
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara
Awesome tips, thx!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Barbara! Have a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Angie
Hi, Shelbee – Wow, what a story! I was fascinated to read about a famous designer and the life she led. Thanks for all your research – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Angie, thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed the post. I really enjoy researching for these Style Imitating Art posts. I want to read Elsa Schiaparelli’s autobiography now!
xoxo
Shelbee
Daenel T.
Your son is just the cutest!!
Your pose imitating the sweater — LOL Just perfect.
You nailed the look. The dress and the tie are great. Don’t you just love when women compliment each other? It’s so empowering, you know?
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Daenel! When my husband told me to pose like the sweater, we laughed so hard! Then when I created the side by side photo, we laughed even harder. We have so much fun getting creative with these prompts! And yes, I do love women empowering women…or just people empowering people! If only the whole world could get on board with that level of kindness, you know.
My cute little son emphatically declared yesterday that his days as The Boy Fashion Blogger were stupid and he has now settled into his wardrobe of camouflage and tie dye and that’s all he wears! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Claire
Beautiful outfit, Shebee. Love this 🙂 #TheWednesdayLinkUp
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Claire!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
This is such a lovely outfit, Shelbee, and your setting makes you look like a picture, like you’ll fade into the trees as you walk away. How fun is that tromp l’oeil sweater that both of your sons have worn? I am a fan of Schiappareli’s work – even the modern stuff done in her name is pretty cool.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so very much, Sheila! I have been having so much fun with my photo shoots lately. I have been trying to get a bit more creative when I can but my small little town has limited places for photo backgrounds. Oh my gosh, my kids’ tromp l’oeil sweater is one of my favorite things that I ever put on them! I need to find some time to scroll through the photos of Schiaparelli’s designs that are in the Cecil Beaton Collection. So many amazing things!
xoxo
Shelbee
Chickenruby
Fab info on the artist and I just love your imitation of the jumper with the bow. I love the jumper also. Your son has great style too.
Thanks for sharing with #pocolo and hope to see you back again soon
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks you, Suzanne! I really enjoy doing these art inspired posts. As much as I enjoy creating the outfits, I enjoy researching the works even more. My little guy went through a phase a few years ago when he wanted to be a Boy Fashion Blogger so he made weekly appearances here in his sweet little style! Now he is just a tee shirt and basketball shorts kind of kid! Have a fabulous day, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee