Belt

Schiaparelli often used her accessories, particularly belts, as avenues of expression for her Surrealist ideals. Buckles, clasps, decorations and belts themselves were made of unusual materials, such as plastic and plaster, and in quirky shapes that could elicit a viewer’s double-take. To pair such an off-beat accessory with a couture garment was just the kind of humorous irony Schiaparelli enjoyed incorporating into her work.

More subtle than many of her other belt designs, this design remains distinctly Schiaparelli. The whimsical puzzle piece motif is playfully articulated so that two pieces fit together to attach the belt around the waist. The metal pieces, curved ever so slightly, were created to accommodate the wearer's waist, an intricate and refined detail.