Hat

Lilly Daché

ca. 1950 · wool, silk · Costume Institute

Among the famous milliners of the 20th century, Lilly Daché deserves special recognition for her designs and for her business acumen. Like many of Daché's hats, this example creates a sense of drama. Here, an elliptical brim sweeps away from a shallow crown while the narrow tailored bow and the swath of veiling emphasize the impressive width of the hat. Daché's flair lead to frequent commissions for Hollywood films and attracted celebrities to her Manhattan showroom. The designer's talent and commercial success made her an early fashion mogul with multiple lines of garments, accessories and cosmetics.

Artist

Lilly Daché

Date

ca. 1950

Medium

wool, silk

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Vera Maxwell, 1985