When Surrealism Gets Too Real

Ah, Schiaparelli. The maison synonymous with surrealist magic and fearless fashion. From the bold genius of Elsa Schiaparelli herself to Daniel Roseberry’s modern reimaginings, the brand has always danced along the fine line between art and wearability. But let’s talk about their latest anatomical offering: the Molded Mouth Chain Clutch. A masterpiece? A misstep? Or simply a “what-were-they-thinking” moment? Let’s dig into the details.

First, a round of applause for the craftsmanship. The clutch comes in two versions—one in black leather with a lambskin lining and the other in rigid copper. Both are inlaid with Schiaparelli’s signature molded mouth motif, adorned with a rhinestone-studded piercing, and paired with the signature gilded Keyhole-shaped chain. Luxurious? Yes. Unique? Undeniably. It’s the kind of bag that makes you pause mid-scroll on Instagram, zoom in, and mutter, “Wait, is that…a mouth?”

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Let’s get real: this is not your everyday bag. It’s a conversation starter, a wearable piece of art that pays homage to Elsa’s fascination with anatomy and surrealism. Her love for body parts—eyes, ears, noses, lips, and hands—has been a cornerstone of the brand since its inception in 1927.

It’s a conversation starter, a wearable piece of art that pays homage to Elsa’s fascination with anatomy and surrealism.

However, for all its boldness, the Molded Mouth Chain Clutch isn’t exactly…practical. Let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the lips on the bag. It looks like someone faceplanted into it. The rigid design and surrealist features make it a piece that toes the line between “high fashion” and “why fashion?” Sure, we love a quirky accessory, but this one feels like it’s trying a bit too hard to make a statement. The molded mouth, while impeccably detailed, comes off more “art school experiment” than couture chic.

And let’s not forget the rhinestone piercing. While it’s clearly intended to add a touch of edgy glamour, it feels more like a rebellious teenager’s accessory than the refined sophistication one typically expects from Schiaparelli. It’s the kind of detail that might appeal to someone like Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl—an unapologetic misfit with a penchant for bold, unconventional fashion. In fact, fashion icons like Carrie Bradshaw could probably pull this off with her usual devil-may-care attitude, but realistically, no one’s picturing Kendall Jenner or Hailey Bieber flaunting this at Paris Fashion Week. This bag doesn’t scream “It Girl”; it screams, “Interpret me!”—and not everyone has the patience (or wardrobe) for that.