Elsa Schiaparelli - 1890-1973
Italian fashion designer
Thinking of Italy, where we'll be next month, I remembered the first gift of perfume I received in 1960 when a teenager; a very tiny vial of Shocking de Schiaparelli. I thought the scent a little flowery back then but, 50 years later, my taste, or rather, sense of smell, may have changed.
Elsa had a fabulous following and some of her loyal clients included such names as Marlene Dietrich, Wallis Simpson, Greta Garbo, Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Joan Crawford and Zsa Zsa Gabor. I found much more about Elsa at Candida Martinelli's Italophiles site.
I must look for Shocking at the duty-free shop before we fly!
The vintage bottle of
Shocking de Schiaparelli
in the shape of Mae West
