Why Every Penn Student Should Channel Their Inner Schiaparelli: A Lesson in Blending Creativity and Business

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Nov 2

In a hustling world seeking the ultimate career path, here's how embracing both your artistic and business sides may be your way to success—straight from a fashion icon who did it first.

When Elsa Schiaparelli teamed up with Salvador Dalí to plaster a lobster on an evening gown in 1937, she didn’t just make a statement for fashion—she created a business master blueprint that Penn students need to hear.

The Art of the Deal, but Make It Fashion

Let's be real: Penn students are known for landing those coveted internships for getting prestigious jobs. But plot twist — your secret weapon might not be that extra finance club leadership position, but rather that creative spark you've suppressed.

In the marketplace today, the ability to think analytically and creatively isn't a competitive advantage- it's a necessity.

The Schiaparelli Blueprint

Scenario: 1930s Paris. While other designers were playing it safe, Schiaparelli said, “Hey, let's put a shoe on someone's head and call it Haute Couture.” Crazy? Maybe. Brilliant business strategy? Absolutely.

The results?

Headlines everywhere
Celebrity clients
Unforgettable brand identity
Big deals

Sound like career goals? Thought so.

Why This Matters for Your Penn Journey

The Cutting Edge

You're probably thinking, “Cool story, but I'm going into consulting.” Well, here's the thing: Schiaparelli was no ordinary artist- she was one clever businesswoman who knew that creativity = difference = success.

The Business Sense

For every artistic decision she'd make, there was a strategic thinking in the room:

Collaborations = Brand partnerships
Shocking designs = Media coverage
Artistic vision = Market differentiation

Making It Work at Penn And Beyond

Start Small, Think Big

That visual design class? The one you've been wanting to take? Take it.
Join clubs that mix business with creativity
Start a side project that combines both

Power Moves to Make Now

Cross-register across schools. Yes, Wharton students can take classes at Penn Design!
Develop a personal brand that's all your own
Use creative solutions for business problems

Real Talk: The Modern Market

Here is what employers are not telling you: they are swimming in the same-looking resumes. What differentiates an individual? So often, it is a different way of thinking, a new way of looking at old problems.

Industries Hungry for Creative Business Thinkers

Tech startups
Fashion tech
Digital marketing
Product development
Brand strategy

The New Power Move

You might recall how Schiaparelli put a lobster on a dress and made fashion history. Your version could be:

Creating an AI Algorithm That Predicts Fashion Trends
Develop a sustainable business model through an artistic lens
Create an aesthetically pleasing finance app

Your Next Steps

Quick Wins:

Follow creative business leaders on LinkedIn
Start a passion project that incorporates all of your interests
Look for internships within companies that value business acumen and creativity

Pro Tip: Document your creative approach to solving business problems. Future employers love seeing this innovative thinking in action.

The Bottom Line

Schiaparelli didn't become a legend by following the crowd. She built an empire by bringing her full self—her business brain and creative soul—to the table.

So, the next time someone tells you to "focus on just one thing," remember that some of the most successful careers are built at the intersection of creativity and business. Just ask the woman who turned a lobster into a luxury brand.

It's your move, Penn.

Featured Image courtesy of The Fashington Post

Sierra Marelia

Sierra is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Communication and Psychology, with a minor in Consumer Psychology. She views fashion as a powerful tool for self-expression and a lens for societal commentary. She is an Engagement Manager and Fashion Web Writer for The WALK Magazine.