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566 days ago . by Krystian Szastok

The History of the Lobster Dress

566 days ago . by Krystian Szastok
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The History of the Lobster Dress

 There's nothing like a crustacean print to inject some fun into your wardrobe and our lobster dress print has everything. With small red lobsters scattered over the funky bubblegum base, you will surely turn heads when you wear our lobster dress. But, do you know that the lobster has been a popular fashion motif throughout the twentieth century?

The story of this iconic print begins with Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dali.

Who created the lobster dress?

Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dali created the lobster dress in 1937. Schiaparelli was an Italian designer whose eccentric, witty designs made her a fashion icon during the 1920s and 1930s.

Dali was a Spanish Surrealist, who had already played around lobster themes in his art before Schiaparelli and Dali created the dress. His lobster phone was created in 1924, so it was only natural that Schiaparelli chose to collaborate with him to create her crustacean masterpiece.

Dali drew the initial design - complete with parsley! - while Schiaparelli designed the dress. She had to stop Dali from adding mayonnaise flourishes on the print!

The lobster is printed on an off-white silk organza and the resulting dress is an A-line evening gown, complete with a coral red sheer inlay at the waist. The coral red material below the bust creates an optical illusion, allowing the dress to look as though it has an empire waist silhouette, emphasised by the fuller skirt that's cut on the bias .

What were Elsa Schiaparelli's most famous designs?

Elsa Schiaparelli is mostly famous for her witty and fun designs she created throughout the 1930s. She was really interested in Surrealism, and she collaborated with some of the most well known Surrealist artists. As a result, many of her creations are equally original. Some of her iconic designs include the Tears Dress - another collaboration with Dali.

She was also known for her fun accessories like a purse in the shape of a telephone, buttons that resembled candlesticks and gloves with painted fingernails appliqued on.

Schiaparelli is considered to be one of the most iconic fashion designers throughout the 1930s and the fashion of today is definitely thankful for her use of weird and wacky household objects in her art.

Who wore the lobster dress?

Perhaps the most famous person to have worn Elsa Schiaparelli's lobster dress was the future duchess, Wallis Simpson. Simpson wore the dress in photographs taken by Cecil Beaton, and these photos were later featured in an eight page spread in Vogue.

But since 1937, lobster fashion has morphed and changed throughout the 20th century. Lobster designs have also been used on hats designed by milliner Philip Treacy, whose designs have been spotted on Lady Gaga in 2010 and Isabella Blow.

Since Schiaparelli, the most lobster-obsessed designer seems to be Thom Browne, whose extravagant designs are just as surreal as the original dress from the thirties. Anna Wintour notably wore a dress similar to Schiaparelli's at the retrospective Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 2012.

The lobster dress today

The world is truly your lobster! At NFD, Schiaparelli's iconic Lobster Dress print gets a 21st century update. Our mid-length dress is crawling with cute little red lobsters on a bright bubblegum pink background. With a flattering V neckline and balloon sleeves, our pink lobster dress is bound to suit everyone who wants a pop of individual coolness to their garments.

Our dress with lobster print can be worn with strappy heels and a clutch or even trainers and a jacket, if you want a more casual, understated look. Find the perfect lobster fit for you and wear an outfit designed to say "you're my lobster" in.

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