Definition

Proper noun: - Elsa Schiaparelli: An Italian-born fashion designer active in the mid-20th century, renowned for her innovative and artistic approach to haute couture. She was particularly noted for her pioneering use of synthetic materials, bold and brilliant colors, and surrealist-inspired designs.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The museum's exhibition features the groundbreaking work of Elsa Schiaparelli.
  • Elsa Schiaparelli collaborated with artists like Salvador Dalí.
  • Her famous "shoe hat" is a classic example of Elsa Schiaparelli's surrealist style.

Advanced Usage

• "in the style of Schiaparelli": Describing a design that features the bold, artistic, or surrealist elements characteristic of her work.
  • The gown, with its shocking pink color and lobster motif, was very much in the style of Schiaparelli.

Variants and Related Words

• Schiap (n): A common abbreviated nickname for the fashion house or designer Elsa Schiaparelli, often used in fashion journalism.
  • The new collection is a direct homage to Schiap.

Synonyms

• Couturier: A fashion designer who manufactures and sells clothes that have been tailored to a client's specific measurements and wishes, especially one in the high-fashion industry.
• Fashion designer: A more general term for a person who designs clothing.

Notes on Meaning

While "Elsa Schiaparelli" primarily refers to the historical figure, the name is also used metonymically to refer to the fashion house she founded and its enduring aesthetic legacy. The reference definition correctly identifies her key innovations: the use of new synthetic fabrics like rayon and her vibrant, unconventional color palette, which challenged the norms of her time.

Noun

1. fashion designer born in Italy who was noted for her use of synthetic materials and brilliant colors (1896-1973)