Shocking Life, Signed by Elsa Schiaparelli
[Signed] Schiaparelli, Elsa. Shocking Life. First American Edition. 1954. Book is in very good condition; dust jacket is in good plus condition—jacket shows taped repairs, a small chip to the upper spine, and fraying. This is a presentation copy to Jane and Hillen Koetter. It is inscribed, “To Jane + Helly with much love, Schiap.”
Ever wonder what becomes of a precocious child like Kay Thompson’s Eloise? Well, sometimes she becomes one of the most whimsical, creative, and celebrated designers of the century. In this idiosyncratic memoir, Schiap recalls her childhood in Rome, the difficult marriage that led to her fabulous career, and her collaborations with artists like Christian Bérard, Jean Cocteau, and Salvador Dali. Includes an appendix titled, “The Twelve Commandments for Women.” [Though God was able to make do with ten, the Schiap one-upped him by two.]
“I often wonder what is this urge that makes us want to travel. Why not be thoroughly grand and have the world brought to us?”
--Elsa Schiaparelli