Designer Elsa Schiaparelli's wardrobe, decor head to Christie's

Famous 20th century couturier Elsa Schiaparelli's personal collections are up for auction in a groundbreaking sale at Christie's Paris.

"Madame Elsa Schiaparelli was incomparable. There is no equivalent to be found. Her imagination knew no bounds," said Yves Saint Laurent, when asked to describe the famed Italian designer, who died in 1973.

Set to take place at Christie's Paris on January 23, 2014, the auction will see 180 lots go under the hammer – including pieces of her own haute couture work, personal effects, and her own furniture.

Key pieces include a bronze Alberto Giacometti floor lamp from 1936, modeled with the head of a young woman (estimate: €60,000-80,000) and a violet silk blouse, 1939, from Schiaparelli's Astrologie collection (estimate: €25,000-30,000). The highly influential Astrologie collection was worn by stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood including Marlene Dietrich.

A violet silk blouse from the 1939 Astrologie collection

The collection is being sold off by actress and former fashion model Marisa Schiaparelli Berenson, Schiaparelli's granddaughter. She was philosophical about giving up the family treasures: "There are certain things that I don't need to carry around all my life. There comes a time when you want to let go of things, because life changes," she explained.

"I think my grandmother's personal belongings will inspire future generations; this is an extraordinary and fascinating legacy."

Alberto Giacometti bronze floor lamp 1936

Other highlights from the sale include a series of portraits by influential modernist photographer Man Ray, and an illustrated screen by Oscar-winning Hungarian costume designer Marcel Vertès, another of Schiaparelli's creative collaborators. 

"To have the opportunity to catalogue the personal wardrobe of Elsa Schiaparelli is, quite simply, a privilege," added Pat Frost, Director of Christie's Fashion Department. "Not only is the experience like meeting old friends known intimately from books and photographs – such as the Astrologie blouse – but it is also a peek into the home life of a design icon, where Chinese robes, Ottoman gowns and Persian jackets hung in large numbers in her wardrobe next to couture."

The Schiaparelli name has recently been revived, with former Rochas creative director Marco Zanini hired in September and tasked with designing the brand's upcoming haute couture collection (set to hit the runway in Paris in January 2014).

Photos: Christie's