Lacroix Revives His Couture Line Just Once, Will Dedicate It To Elsa Schiaparelli

Update: All of the looks from the Schiaparelli-inspired, Lacroix-designed collection are finally up, and it's as extravagant as you could imagine. Feathers, pom-poms, highly ornate lace, and some serious statement-making headgear are just a bit of what you'll find. Check out all the looks up on Style.com.

Couture season is just around the corner, and next week, two throwbacks are coming together for a very special fashion treat. Christian Lacroix, who has spent the past few years working on a multitude of stage costumes for ballets and exhibits — will put on his couture hat once again to design a special one-off collection inspired by one of his heroes, Elsa Schiaparelli.

Shown in a lineup of 18 ensembles, the collection is entirely inspired by the clever witticism and surrealist sensibilities of the early 20th century designer. The creations will be displayed on mannequins painted with Schiaparelli's face, and will be installed in a three-day exhibit reminiscent of the Jean-Michel Frank-designed passageway in Schiaparelli's first 1935 boutique. Unfortunately, the designs won't be sold — even to the couture consumer — and will instead be displayed at the Maison Schiaparelli in Paris until the house hires a full-time creative director.

Lacroix's couture line was shuttered in 2009 under sad financial circumstances, and this one-time show will coincidentally be shown at the same location — at Les Arts Décoratifs — as his final collection. However, WWD reports that there are no ill feelings toward his brief return to couture. Describing his various projects, he revealed that his departure from the couture world isn't a sad thing anymore. “This year was the fullest I have ever had in my life,” said Lacroix. “I’m full of gratitude, pleasure. I should have left couture earlier. I think I was made for doing this scenography. I’m a kind of director or scenographer for daily life.” (WWD)