Fashion News

Which Legendary Fashion House is Relaunching This Fall—And Will John Galliano Lead it?

. . .

(Getty) Judy Davis as Elsa Schiaparelli at the Costume Institute's "Impossible Conversations" exhibition this year

This fall will see the relaunch of Schiaparelli—a subject the most recent Costume Institute exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and one of the most legendary fashion houses of all time. And, while no official announcement has yet been made, rumors are swirling that disgraced fashion designer, former Dior artistic director John Galliano will take the reins—though that speculation has been roundly dismissed by the brand's new CEO Camilla Schiavone and brand ambassador Farida Khelfa.

"The house of was rebought in 2006," Khelfa told the AP. "Now, we have the property. We've waited so long to get it right. We're not interested in running after someone. But you will know in the next three weeks or so. The first, what I call, ready-to-couture collection will probably be June 2013."

In the run-up to the relaunch, Schiaparelli's new owners have acquired the designer's original showroom at 21 Place Vendome in Paris—and filled it with goodies. The AP reports:

Inside the revamped showroom, Schiaparelli bigwigs have painstakingly recreated her surrealist universe. Original artifacts that artists designed for the Schiaparelli boutique are proudly on display. Across five salons, glittering gold columns by Alberto Giacometti, a powder compact in the shape of a telephone dial by Dali, a wacky colored carpet by Fernand Leger, spiraling metal glasses created by Man Ray.

Also featured is a "cabinet of curiosity" which featured the perfume Shocking—a reminder of why the Schiaparelli name became world renowned. A one-foot (30-centimeter) curved fuchsia perfume bottle stands provocatively in the shape of the bust of Hollywood sex symbol Mae West—a design echoed by designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier. "Shocking" was an adjective on high rotation in the Schiaparelli vocabulary. She invented a bright fuchsia hue—the now world famous "shocking pink"—that she chose as the house's signature color.

Are you excited to see the new Schiaparelli collection next June? We can't wait to find out who the appointed creative director is. Maybe ex-YSL creative director Stefano Pilati? Maybe even Galliano! Tell us who you think it'll be in the comments, below.