In 2014, my friend Nancy Shina and I celebrated years of friendship—and shopping—with a vacation in Paris.

One of the highlights was attending Schiaparelli and the Artists (Schiaparelli et les Artistes), during the reopening of the Maison Schiaparelli and renewed interest in the remarkable Elsa Schiaparelli.

Fast forward to a recent trip to London. I spent more than two engrossing hours at the V&A exhibition, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art.

Nancy later told me she wished she had been with me and asked how the London exhibition differed from our memorable Paris experience. As a content creator, I thought, why not share my observations and research with more than just Nancy?

Here is what struck me most about the differences in story, intention, and presentation.

The Big Difference in One Sentence

Paris 2014 celebrated Schiaparelli the collaborator.
London 2026 celebrates Schiaparelli the artist.

That distinction changes everything.

Paris 2014: Schiaparelli and the Artists

Held in Paris shortly after the rebirth of the Schiaparelli couture house, the exhibition focused on Elsa’s relationships with the surrealists—especially her collaborations with Salvador Dalí, Jean Cocteau, and Man Ray.

The emphasis was clear: fashion became a canvas for avant-garde art.

Nancy and I saw iconic creations, including the Lobster Dress, the Skeleton Dress, and trompe-l’oeil knitwear, alongside surreal hats, jewellery, perfume bottles, sketches, and artworks, all displayed beside couture pieces.

The message in Paris felt like:

“Look how brilliantly Elsa collaborated with artists.”

The experience was historical, intellectual, and deeply rooted in Parisian surrealism.

London 2026 at the V&A: Fashion Becomes Art

The V&A takes a bolder position.

Rather than suggesting Elsa collaborated with artists, the curators make a more powerful argument:

Elsa Schiaparelli was an artist.

That is a subtle yet important shift.

The exhibition presents her not as a designer borrowing from art, but as a creative force equal to the surrealists who surrounded her.

The London exhibition is broader in scope and more theatrical in presentation. It includes hundreds of objects—fashion, accessories, paintings, photographs, archival material, perfume, and artwork.

What especially impressed me was the emphasis on storytelling and dramatic reveals throughout the galleries. The exhibition spans from the 1920s to the modern Schiaparelli revival under creative director Daniel Roseberry.

The final section makes an important point:

Elsa’s ideas did not end with her. They continue to influence culture, celebrity, and couture today.

I particularly enjoyed seeing Daniel Roseberry’s dramatic red-carpet gowns, sculptural gold body pieces, and contemporary interpretation of surrealism.

If You Think Like a Presenter…

You know I cannot help myself!

As I walked through both exhibitions, I kept reflecting on what Schiaparelli teaches us about presentations and storytelling.

Paris 2014 Lesson: Context Elevates Creativity

Schiaparelli surrounded herself with brilliant minds. Her originality expanded because she was in conversation with artists, poets, photographers, and dreamers.

Presentation lesson:
Your best ideas rarely arrive in isolation.

Great speakers collect perspectives.

London 2026 Lesson: Claim Your Point of View

The V&A reframes Elsa’s story.

Instead of saying, “She collaborated with artists,” the exhibition argues, “She was the artist.”

Presentation lesson:
How you frame your expertise changes how audiences value it.

A subtle shift in positioning changes perception.

Just as Schiaparelli did not simply design dresses—she created experiences—I often remind speakers:

Do not present information. Create an emotional and intellectual experience.

If you need help upgrading your presentations, let’s talk.

Stronger communication translates into stronger business performance.

The dress was designed for Baba Beaton, sister of famous photographer Cecil Beaton, who was a friend of Elsa.

“Like no other keynote speaker we have ever hired or heard, you helped our members realise the importance and value of selling our relevance and service to the families and communities we serve.”
– Terry Joyce, Program Chair, NY State Association of Cemeteries

“The conference was a great success. Thanks for a tremendous keynote session. I loved it and took copious notes. We loved having you back for a repeat performance.”
– Cristin Clifford, Director of Meeting Planning, Lawrence Ragan Communications, Inc.