Schiaparelli Haute Couture

Sally Young, Massachusetts

In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

One of Schiaparelli's favorite design motifs was incorporating trompe l'oeil elements into her pieces. An example of this is visible in the construction of the dress, particularly the seaming, which creates a trompe l'oeil bolero, defined by the 18th Century style Lesage embroideries of gilt metal and seed pearl flowerheads placed across the breasts and edges. The results are highly decorative, demure, subversive and provocative at the same time, the placement of the flowers creating a metaphor in this surrealist pun.