At the beginning of the 19th century, sailors from the British Isles wore hand-knitted sweaters made of thick wool, tucked into their trousers, as a shield against the cold and damp.

These sweaters were decorated with patterns such as cables, diamonds, and stripes, each specific to a region or family. The purpose was simple: these decorations and motifs were vital for identifying sailors who had lost their lives at sea. By the late 1920s, Elsa Schiaparelli had transformed the sweater into a surrealist piece, turning a functional garment into a fashion object.

The sweater keeps you warm without restriction, winter is its season, and it brings to mind the intimate, comforting feeling of home. It remains strongly connected to rural, maritime, or mountainous imagery, where each of us can find a sense of belonging. To read the full curator’s note, scan the specific QR code for the artwork.

Let’s return to the extraordinary section for the final piece we’ll explore in Fashionlands – Clothes Beyond Borders, before continuing our visit. The next audio guide QR code belongs to the vibrant, kite-shaped padded dress you can see towards the end of the exhibition.