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Hat
Woolland Bros. - Enlarge image
Hat
- Place of origin:
London, England (made)
- Date:
1909-1910 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Woolland Bros. (retailer)
- Materials and Techniques:
Straw, lined with silk, chiffon, feather
- Museum number:
T.102-1960
- Gallery location:
In Storage
Hats reached an immense size in the early 20th century. This very fashionable example from 1910 is made of fine black straw and grey chiffon. It has an outsize crown, which would have been supported by the piled-up hairstyles of the time. Long hat-pins would have secured the hat to the hair. Hats were often elaborately trimmed, so the simplicity of this hat, trimmed with a single feather, is quite modern for the time.
The hat and suit (see T.38&A-1960) were both worn by Miss Heather Firbank (1888-1954). She was a beautiful, wealthy young woman who bought her expensive, high-style clothing from leading London couturiers, such as Lucile, Redfern and Mascotte. She favoured purple and heather tones, which complemented her name. The Museum holds a wide range of clothing and accessories from Heather's wardrobe purchased between 1905 to 1921.
