Fashion’s house of surrealism

The exhibition Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art that we went to see yesterday at the V&A museum was - as ever, with the expert curation they have always employed - a superb, comprehensive, and utterly dazzling display of the creative talents of Madame Elsa Schiaparelli, the couture empire she founded, and its legacy today [the fashion house was revived in 2013 after almost 60 years, with Christian Lacroix as then creative director].

Myriad original Schiaparelli designs on show, from the "formal" to the frivolous, were a feast for the senses [click any photo to enlarge, or right-click and "open in new tab" for even greater detail]:

Her playfulness extended to the minutest details - trims, patterns, and in particular the buttons (a whole room of which were also there to view in all their spectacular glory):

Speaking of accessories...

Inevitably, amongst all the beautiful gowns on offer, it's the rare survivors from her famed Surrealist collaborations - with the likes of Salvador Dali and Jean Cocteau - that are the stars of the show:

The output of the relaunched House of Schiaparelli was no less impressive, of course - pieces have featured everywhere from catwalks to red carpets to the Met Gala - and whole galleries of those were there, too:

However, if I really have to make a choice among my favourites of the whole collection, they would have to be these...

A splendid way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

If you can, book tickets today! Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art runs until 8th November 2026.

Don't get strung out by the way I look

More sad news.

RIP, Mr Tim Curry (19th April 1946 – 25th August 2026)

If I hadn't been a woman, I'd be a drag queen for sure

• "If I hadn't been a woman, I'd be a drag queen for sure. I like all that flair and I'd be dressing up in them high heels and putting on the big hair. I'd be like Ru Paul."
• "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."
• "I look just like the girls next door... if you happen to live next door to an amusement park!"
• "I'm no natural beauty. If I'm gonna have any looks at all, I'm gonna have to create them. Thanks to Botox and fillers, as well as the work that I've already had, my face pretty much maintains itself."
• "God tells us not to judge one another, no matter what anyone's sexual preferences are or if they're black, brown or purple. And if someone doesn't believe what I believe, tough shit."
• "If something is bagging, sagging or dragging, I'll tuck it, suck it or pluck it."
• "It costs a lot to look this cheap."

RIP, Miss Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean (19th January 1946 - 25th August 2026)

On the Jukebox this Weekend at Dolores Delargo Towers

"I have to be seen to be believed"

[click any photo to enlarge]

The sumptuous exhibition Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, that we went to see with our mother on Saturday was everything one could have asked for, and more.

Frocks and outfits that traced the life of the late, dearly departed Queen - from her childhood and teenage years to debutante, to her marriage [gown #3, above], accession [Coronation dress, #4 above], through all stages of her long reign, formal and informal, from the most sparkling ballgowns and outfits from her myriad Royal tours and Silver, Gold, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees, to the headscarf-and-tweeds she wore on her estates, right through to her latter "Rainbow Queen" years with her famous bright coordinated single-colour outfits ["I have to be seen to be believed", was her quote] - everything was on display [in the relatively small series of rooms that comprise The King's Gallery at the rear of Buckingham Palace]!

..and then there were the tiaras!

It was a fantastic exhibition! What an indelible legacy HM The Queen left us...