Discover the extraordinary details of this iconic 1937 embroidered couture coat, designed by Elsa Schiaparelli in collaboration with the Surrealist artist Jean Cocteau.
Watch as curator Sonnet Stanfill reveals the remarkable craftsmanship behind one of Schiaparelli’s most striking creations, showcasing its bold, flat-strip embroidery technique, created by the iconic Parisian atelier Maison Lesage.
Originally worn by Doris Castlerosse – socialite and rumoured one-time lover of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the coat features an eye-catching 'trompe-l'oeil' (trick-of-the-eye) device, created for Schiaparelli by Jean Cocteau. Go behind the scenes to see how the coat has been expertly conserved by the V&A's Conservation team, ready for display in the 'Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art' exhibition.
