Schiaparelli Dresses: Keyhole, Mermaid, Trompe l’Oeil and Evening Gowns (2026 Guide)

Schiaparelli dresses are ready-to-wear dresses from the Paris couture house founded by Elsa Schiaparelli in 1927, made in Italy and designed today by Daniel Roseberry. They range from a black jersey Keyhole dress to bustier evening gowns in pleated velvet, and every one carries a house code: the Keyhole, gold bijoux, trompe l’oeil and the anatomy. Shop them in the designer dresses edit and on the Schiaparelli at Coveti hub.

Key facts about Schiaparelli dresses

• Made in: Italy.
• Sizing at Coveti: the UK ladder, 4 UK to 16 UK. The house publishes no instruction to size up, so take your usual size.
• Signature details: the Keyhole cut into the bodice, gold bijoux buttons and chains, trompe l’oeil prints and embroidery, built in corsetry.
• Price range at Coveti: from about $7,920 for the Body Double Dress to about $43,580 for the Pleated Velvet Bustier Dress.

The Keyhole dress

The Keyhole is the house code Roseberry uses most, and the dress is its purest form. The Long Keyhole Dress is fluid black jersey draped close to the body with the Keyhole at the neck, and the Keyhole Dress in black viscose mesh is a long racerback version. Both read as quiet black dresses until the Keyhole catches the light, which is why they suit dinners where a gown would be too much.

The Fishtail mermaid dress

The Fishtail dress is a sleeveless V neck mermaid cut in viscose knit, close through the hip and flaring at the hem. It comes in black and nude, and the knit means it moves with you rather than fighting you when you sit. The Velvet Mermaid Dress is the evening version: black velvet, a plunging neckline and gold bijoux straps.

Trompe l’oeil dresses

Trompe l’oeil, the trick of the eye, launched the house in 1927 with a hand knitted sweater that appeared to carry a bow. The dresses keep the idea alive:

• Bones Dress: long black jersey with a high neck, embellished with a skeleton.
• Body Double Dress: black jacquard knit printed with the body underneath, the most accessible piece in this guide.
• Handprint Dress: black tulle with hands that appear to hold the body.
• Trompe L’Oeil Bust Dress: soft brown leather embossed with the form of the bust.

Bustier and evening gowns

For black tie, Schiaparelli builds structure inside the dress. The Pleated Velvet Bustier Dress is a long strapless gown in fully pleated black velvet with a cowl neckline and defined waist. The Bustier Draped Dress pairs a fitted black velvet corset with draped jersey and an open back, and the ecru Bustier Draped Dress is the long sleeved, plunging alternative. The Andromeda Dress laces a black cady halter gown with gold chain through gold eyelets, and comes in ecru too. For more evening options see the evening gowns edit.

Day and cocktail dresses

Shorter and simpler pieces carry the codes at a lower volume. The Made You Look Dress is a short sleeved black cady midi with a tonal satin faux corset. The Shirt Dress is long striped poplin with gold bijoux buttons, and the Scarf Dress is draped rust double faced satin. The Straight Dress in beige cady crepe is the most understated cut in the range.

Schiaparelli dresses compared

Is there a Schiaparelli wedding dress?

Schiaparelli does not offer a bridal line in its ready-to-wear; its couture is made to order in Paris. For a bride who wants the house at a ceremony, the ivory and ecru ready-to-wear pieces are the route: the ecru Andromeda Dress and the ecru Bustier Draped Dress both work for a civil ceremony and for the evening after.

How to wear a Schiaparelli dress

Let the dress carry the code and keep everything else quiet. A Keyhole dress needs only one piece of gold, such as the Schiaparelli earrings we cover separately, and a simple pump. A trompe l’oeil dress already has its own jewellery printed in, so wear it bare. Our ready-to-wear guide covers the tailoring to wear over a dress, and how to style Schiaparelli has full outfits.

Where the Schiaparelli dress comes from

Elsa Schiaparelli opened her house in Paris in 1927 and built it on dresses that played tricks. In 1937 she made the Lobster dress with Salvador Dali, a white silk organza evening dress painted with a lobster, and in 1938 the Skeleton dress, which raised the bones of the body in padded quilting. The house closed in 1954. Diego Della Valle acquired it in 2007, couture returned in 2012, and Daniel Roseberry has designed the collections since 2019. Roseberry’s Bones Dress and Body Double Dress are direct descendants of those 1930s ideas, cut for ready-to-wear and made in Italy.

Buyer’s checklist for a Schiaparelli dress

• Occasion first: Keyhole and Fishtail dresses suit dinners and cocktails; bustier gowns are for black tie.
• Fabric and comfort: jersey and viscose knit move with you; cady and velvet hold a shape and feel heavier.
• Fit: take your usual UK size. Body conscious knits are close by design, not because they run small.
• Hardware: gold bijoux buttons and chains are plated brass; keep perfume off them.
• Stock: many dresses are made in small runs, so if a size shows as available, it is worth securing.

Buying Schiaparelli around the world

Coveti ships Schiaparelli worldwide by express courier, with US dollar prices shown at checkout. Customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and the Gulf (the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait) order from the same edit; import duties and local taxes are charged by the carrier on delivery, and the rules for each destination are set out on our delivery and returns page. Sizing does not change by country: clothing is listed on the UK ladder from 4 UK to 16 UK, shoes in EU sizes, and jewellery is one size unless a ring size is stated.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most famous Schiaparelli dress?

Historically the 1937 Lobster dress, made with Salvador Dali, and the 1938 Skeleton dress. In the current ready-to-wear the Keyhole dress and the trompe l’oeil Bones Dress carry those ideas forward.

How much is a Schiaparelli dress?

At Coveti, Schiaparelli ready-to-wear dresses run from about $7,920 for the Body Double Dress to about $43,580 for the Pleated Velvet Bustier Dress. Most day and cocktail dresses sit between $11,000 and $16,000.

Where are Schiaparelli dresses made?

Schiaparelli ready-to-wear dresses are made in Italy. Haute couture is made in the house atelier in Paris.

Do Schiaparelli dresses run small?

The house publishes no sizing instruction, so take your usual size on the UK ladder. Body conscious knits such as the Fishtail Dress are cut close by design.

Can you buy a Schiaparelli wedding dress?

There is no bridal line in the Schiaparelli ready-to-wear; couture is made to order in Paris. The ivory and ecru ready-to-wear dresses are the alternative.