The rivalry between Schiaparelli, as I believe it to be is the difference between wealth and privilege and humble beginnings. It is also the collision of the avant garde and unobtrusive safe elegance.But in 1934, Time magazine placed Chanel in the second division of fashion, whereas Schiaparelli was one of "a handful of houses now at or near the peak of their power as arbiters of the ultra-modern haute couture....Madder and more original than most of her contemporaries, Mme Schiaparelli is the one to whom the word "genius" is applied most often".
Poor old Coco whether she was insecure about her own success compared to Schiaparelli’s or just plain bitter, referred to Schiaparelli as 'that Italian artist who makes clothes', however Schiaparelli with even more venom referred to Chanel as “that milliner”. Moving in the same social circles didn’t help matters either as I am sure there were constant comparisons being shunted about from cocktail party to dinners.Once while attending a soirée Chanel and Schiaparelli were persuaded to dance together, with Chanel attempting arson by ‘accidently” shunting Schiaparelli into a candle arrangement setting her frock on fire!
It seems that Chanel had the last laugh, (something I sure she is gloating over in her grave), however with rumours of a Schiaparelli re-launch abounding, maybe “that Italian artist’ will have the last one!
