Euphonica were delighted to return to the V&A for this year’s Summer Soirée, inspired by the landmark exhibition Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art. Celebrating Elsa Schiaparelli’s bold creativity and her collaborations with surrealist artists including Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau, we created an immersive entertainment journey that brought the exhibition to life through live music, performance and interactive experiences. Inspired by the exhibition’s themes of surrealism, couture and artistic expression, every performance was carefully considered to complement the visitor experience and celebrate the enduring relationship between fashion, art and performance.

Guests were welcomed into the Exhibition Road Courtyard with The Shock of the New, where our Floral Dancers created a striking first impression with sculptural costumes inspired by Schiaparelli’s iconic use of flowers and her signature Shocking Pink palette. Alongside them, the Trompe L’Oeil Brass Trio filled the courtyard with energetic brass performances inspired by the glamour of the 1920s, whilst our Surrealist Portrait Hosts, framed by oversized golden keyholes, invited guests to step into Schiaparelli’s extraordinary world. Together, these performances transformed the arrival experience into an engaging introduction to the evening, establishing a playful atmosphere that reflected the imagination and creativity at the heart of the exhibition.

The journey continued through the Hintze Sculpture Galleries with Symphony of Shadows, where music and movement reflected the relationship between sculpture, fashion and the surrealist fascination with the human form. Our Shadow Cellist created an atmospheric live soundtrack throughout the galleries, whilst Living Mannequins appeared amongst the sculptures in elegant sculptural poses, subtly blurring the line between live performance and installation. The combination of sound, movement and visual performance encouraged guests to experience the gallery spaces in a unique way, complementing the exhibition whilst maintaining an elegant and immersive atmosphere throughout this stage of the evening.

The experience culminated in the John Madejski Garden with The Surrealist Salon, where guests enjoyed a vibrant celebration inspired by the playful spirit of surrealism and the theatrical world of the Commedia dell’arte. Roaming Object d’Art Magic, Live Fashion Illustration and the striking Ribbon Dancer brought moments of surprise and creativity throughout the evening, while the Surrealist Swing Quartet and Electro Swing DJ provided an energetic soundtrack that encouraged guests to celebrate together as the event drew to a close. Each performance contributed to an evening filled with colour, movement and interaction, ensuring the entertainment remained engaging from beginning to end.

Thank you to the V&A for inviting Euphonica to be part of another unforgettable Summer Soirée, and to everyone involved in bringing this extraordinary celebration to life. It was a pleasure to create an evening that celebrated Elsa Schiaparelli’s remarkable legacy whilst demonstrating how carefully curated live entertainment can enrich the visitor experience. By combining music, performance and immersive storytelling, the evening reflected the creativity, elegance and sense of discovery that defined both the exhibition and Euphonica’s creative approach.

Live Image Credit: Philippa Sian Photography