Cocktail hat

Elsa Schiaparelli

1936–37 · wool, metal · Costume Institute

This fanciful hat form epitomizes Schiaparelli's quirky design sense as well as the types of women who made up her client base. It reminds one of a grass or reed roof on a far-away exotic dwelling. It would take a true sense of confidence to wear this design well, and Millicent Rogers, a devoted Schiaparelli client and owner of this hat, definitely possessed the required boldness.

Artist

Elsa Schiaparelli

Date

1936–37

Medium

wool, metal

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Millicent Huttleston Rogers, 1951