Celebrities at the Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art Exhibition Gala Dinner
Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art marks a rare deep dive into the legacy and influence of Elsa Schiaparelli, opening at London’s V&A on March 28. With over 200 pieces spanning garments, including Bella Hadid’s iconic Cannes Film Festival dress, accessories, paintings, sculpture, furniture and perfumes, the exhibition sets out to explore the space where fashion and art intersect, and, at times, become indistinguishable.
Naturally, the VIP preview on Tuesday called for a fully committed dress code, with guests turning out in Schiaparelli.
Not Quite Convincing
Elizabeth Debicki’s statuesque frame should make her an ideal canvas for Daniel Roseberry’s work, yet this ecru Schiaparelli Fall 2026 dress with its black trompe-l’œil body print didn’t quite land for me.
The concept is there, but the execution feels flat, especially when you consider how many stronger options from the Fall 2026 collection she could have stepped into.
Cut-Out Precision
Naomie Ackie continues her strong run, and this Schiaparelli Fall 2026 cut-out dress only reinforces that. I love how the leather sculpted waves trace and contour the body, giving the ribbed knit a rhythm rather than letting it fall flat. She handles the balance of exposure and construction with ease, which is exactly why this lands as the strongest look of the night.
The Schiaparelli Keyhole pumps and matching clutch keep the finish cohesive.
A Repeat With Less Impact
Angelina Kendall wore the same Schiaparelli Fall 2026 dress we saw on Teyana Taylor at the TIME Women of the Year Gala. Seeing it again 15 days later isn’t the issue – the styling is. The Schiaparelli face bag, while iconic, undercuts the look here, making it feel less elevated than its previous outing.
The Body As Motif
While Teyana Taylor could not be there herself, her One Battle After Another co-star, Chase Infiniti – who is in London promoting her project, The Testament – wore a Schiaparelli dress featuring a trompe-l’œil rendering of the female form. This recurring motif runs deep within the house’s codes, and much like Elizabeth it ties back neatly to the exhibition’s central theme.
Not So Sure
Daisy Edgar-Jones opted for a Schiaparelli Fall 2026 high-collar suit with signature bijoux buttons which I had this on my wish list for Demi Moore or Jodie Foster. On Daisy, it feels slightly underpowered.
The structure is there, but I feel this suit needed someone with a lot more presence to fully carry the look.
All About Attitude
Gabbriette’s Schiaparelli look leans heavily on attitude, with the oversized shrug and statement earrings doing the heavy lifting.
It’s direct, and entirely in her wheelhouse.
A Familiar Reference, Revisited
Maggie Maurer wore a Schiaparelli Spring 2026 trompe-l’œil fabric shreds dress, a bias-cut design inspired by the house’s 1938 Circus collection. We saw the gold version on Teyana Taylor during her All’s Fair press tour, but this iteration still holds its own, with the technique delivering the visual depth.
Not Quite Translating
I’m not sold on Regina King in this white Schiaparelli gown. The proportions don’t quite align, which takes away from the intended effect.
Texture Meets Structure
Rina Sawayama wore the Schiaparelli Spring 2026 tree-bark-effect dress, complete with gold-trimmed cut-outs. Having already seen the look in gold on Jodie Turner-Smith, this version still makes an impact in a different hue.
FTC Disclaimer: Keep in mind that I may receive commissions when you click links and make purchases. However, this does not impact my reviews.
