Synopses & Reviews
Although separated by time, Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelliand#8212;both Italian, both feministsand#8212;share striking affinities in terms of their design strategies and fashion manifestoes. Presented as an intimate "conversation,"and#160;
Schiaparelli and Prada:and#160;Impossible Conversationsand#160;aims to tease out formal and conceptual similarities between the two designers. Striking photographs and insightful texts illustrate the parallels between the two, including their preferences for interesting textiles and prints, eccentric color palettes, and a bold and playful approach to styling and accessories.
Schiaparelli, in the 1920s through 50s, and Prada, from the late 1980s to today, exploited the narrative possibilities of prints, sought out unconventional textiles, played with ideas of good and bad taste, and manipulated scale for surrealistic outcomes. Contemporary art plays a major role in the work of these inventive womenand#8212;Schiaparelli in her famous collaborations with Dali and Cocteau, and Prada via her Fondazione Prada. Blending the historic with the contemporary, the catalogue brings the masterworks of both designers together into a grand conversation between the most important women fashion designers to ever emerge from Italy.
Review
and#8220;A gorgeous companion volume.and#8221;and#8212;Sadie Stein, Paris Review
Review
and#8220;The catalogue pages offer an insightful look at the exhibitionand#8221;and#8212;Artinfo
Review
“[A] handsome catalog”—The New York Times ArtInfo
Review
and#8220;The must-have book of the season!and#8221;and#8212;Flare Magazine
Review
and#8220;A masterpiece of an exhibition catalogue.and#8221;and#8212;Mediabistro
Review
and#8220;The reader will be bowled over.and#8221;and#8212;The Los Angeles Times
Review
and#8220;The catalogue is just as brilliantly conceived as the show and visitors who do purchase a copy will be well-rewarded when they consider these womenand#8217;s words without being elbowed by fellow museum-goers.and#8221;and#8212;Studio International
Review
The Metropolitan Museum of Art(05/10/12-08/19/12)
Review
"A stimulating read."and#8212;Birmingham Post
Review
“This volume begs to be read.” —Chicago Tribune Studio International
Review
and#8220;[A] handsome catalogand#8221;and#8212;The New York Times
Review
and#8220;This volume begs to be read.and#8221; and#8212;Chicago Tribune
Synopsis
A stunning showcase of two of fashion's most important women designers, who are linked by a number of striking parallels
About the Author
Harold Koda is curator in charge at The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Andrew Bolton is curator at The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Newand#160;York.