Archive · 5 Aug 2026
The Six-Yard Saree That Inspired Schiaparelli's Celestial Collection
A long time ago, there was a famous clothes designer in Paris named Elsa Schiaparelli.
She made a special collection of fancy clothes called 'Celestial.'
Some of the clothes were long pleated gowns that looked like sarees, the beautiful long cloth that women in India wear.
Schiaparelli got her idea from a princess from India named Princess Karam de Kapurthala.
The princess visited Paris for the very first time.
Another designer named Madame Grès remembered how the princess's pretty clothes and beauty inspired them.
Schiaparelli especially loved the bright colours, embroideries and little details of Indian clothes.
A writer and artist named BillyBoy said the princess's style was elegant and full of Indian richness.
This story shows how fashion from faraway India helped inspire designers in the West.
Elsa Schiaparelli launched a collection built around a silhouette named 'Celestial,' featuring pleated gowns, saree dresses and evening ensembles.
The collection was enriched with references to Indian textiles, embroideries, colours and details.
Princess Karam de Kapurthala visited Paris for the first time the year before the collection.
Madame Grès recalled that she and Schiaparelli found inspiration in the princess's beauty and dress.
Artist and collector BillyBoy wrote about the princess's style as a 'baroque use of Indian lavishness.'
- Who
- Fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, inspired by Princess Karam de Kapurthala, with recollections from Madame Grès and commentary by artist and collector BillyBoy.
- What
- Schiaparelli launched her 'Celestial' collection of pleated gowns, saree dresses and evening ensembles referencing Indian textiles.
- When
- Around 1935, the year after Princess Karam de Kapurthala first visited Paris.
- Where
- Paris, where the princess's visit and Schiaparelli's work took place.
- Why
- Schiaparelli found inspiration in the princess's beauty, dress, embroideries, colours and 'baroque use of Indian lavishness.'
- Designer
- Elsa Schiaparelli
- Collection
- Celestial
- Key pieces
- Pleated gowns, saree dresses, evening ensembles
- Source of inspiration
- Princess Karam de Kapurthala
- Location
- Paris
- Timeline
- Princess's first Paris visit, one year before the 1935-era collection
- Cultural references
- Indian textiles, embroideries, colours
- Key source
- "Frocking Life: Searching for Elsa Schiaparelli" by BillyBoy