Hat

Elsa Schiaparelli

fall 1938 · wool, silk, straw · Costume Institute

Schiaparelli, known for her whimsical clothing and accessory designs, made this high style doll hat for her Pagan collection of fall 1938. This collection was the debut of Schiaparelli's version of the miniature doll hat. The popular hat form receives Schiaparelli's touch of playfulness in this example with the rigid veil. The veiling, usually made of silk or a soft fiber, is made of stiff straw in this example. Schiaparelli then wired the edge and twisted it asymmetrically, making it brim-like and transforming the trendy form into something uniquely hers. The provenance of this hat also makes it special. It was worn by fashion arbiter Millicent Rogers, who frequented Schiaparelli's couture house and gave her entire wardrobe to the Brooklyn Museum.

Artist

Elsa Schiaparelli

Date

fall 1938

Medium

wool, silk, straw

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