Schiapparelli was born in a family of aristocrats of Italian origins, descendants of the Medici family. At a certain point, she transferred to New York, and then to Paris, where she encountered Paul Poiret, whose garments inspired her to become a designer. She began as a freelancer designing sports garments. Her first international recognition arrived when designing a knit pullover with a white trompe-l’oel bow motif, being featured in American Vogue.