‘Schiaparelli and Prada’ at the MET ended a few weeks ago, but the coffee table book is almost as good. Both compare the work of two Italian fashion designers a century apart. From the NY Times: ‘Schiaparelli mentions that in her day, society women were often encountered seated at tables in cafes or restaurants, and that as a designer she was most interested in what was most visible in such situations: the body from the waist up. Ms. Prada, who had experienced hippie back-to-the-earthness along with the sexual revolution, was more focused on the lower limbs. By way of illustration the show gives us a selection — dense and vivacious — of Schiaparelli jackets and hats and Prada skirts and shoes.’ Although highlighting different areas of the body, both designers work within identical themes, including “naïf chic” - fabrics of printed circus animals and tropical fruits - and “ugly chic” - sweaters and menswear in earthy tones. It’s quite surprising that Prada is so similar to Schiaparelli actually.
