Milliner Simone Mirman was born in Paris and was art-school trained. She worked for fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli in Paris and came to London in 1947. Mirman, who referred to her hats as ‘objects d’art’, worked first from an attic before opening her couture millinery salon in London. She made hats for Princess Margaret from 1953 and the Queen and the Queen Mother from the 1960s.
With typical aplomb, Simone Mirman scattered diminutive rosebuds over this coolie-style summer hat. In 1953, the year in which this hat was made, the nation celebrated the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and the millinery trade enjoyed an upsurge in business and profits.
Physical description
Low triangular sparterie shape hat of long black horse hair. The shape has been lined with flesh coloured chiffon and then a double layer of flesh coloured net. Four rosebuds in shades of pink with green velvet leaves peep out from beneath the horse hair.
Place of Origin
London, England (made)
Date
ca. 1953 (made)
Artist/maker
Simone Mirman, born 1912 (milliners)
Materials and Techniques
Horsehair and chiffon
Marks and inscriptions
'Simone Mirman'
Object history note
Worn by Mrs. Doris Langley Moore, foundress of the Musuem of Costume in Bath.
Descriptive line
Horsehair and coolie-style hat, London, ca. 1953
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
de la Haye, Amy, ed. The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947-1997. V&A Publications, London, England, 1997, p. 141.
Exhibition History
The Golden Age of Couture. Paris and London 1947 - 1957 (Victoria and Albert Museum 22/09/2007-06/01/2008)
The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947-1997 (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1997-31/12/1997)
Labels and date
With typical aplomb, Simone Mirman scattered diminutive rosebuds over a coolie-style summer hat. In 1953 the nation celebrated Coronation year, and the millinery trade enjoyed an upsurge in business and profits. [1997]
[group label]
Hats
Hats were regarded as the finishing touch to an outfit. A wide choice was available, from large picture hats to tiny, feathered creations that perched on the head, secured only with a hat pin. [34 words]
1. Yellow and black feathers
Paulette (Paulette Marchand, 1900-84)
Paris
1950s
Worn by Mrs Opal Holt, and given by Mrs D.M. Haynes and Mrs M. Clark
V&A: T.151-1982
2. Horsehair hat trimmed with fabric rosebuds
Simone Mirman
London
1953
Worn by Doris Langley Moore
V&A: T.113-1980
3. Pink velvet
Aage Thaarup (1906-87)
London
1950s
Given by Mrs Blair Cook
V&A: T.255-1985
4. Black ostrich feather
Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972)
Paris
About 1955
Given by Mrs Loel Guinness
V&A: T.60-1974
4. Yellow straw
Jacques Heim (1899-1967)
1950s
Given by Mrs Vivienne Lawrie
V&A: T.370-1996 [22/09/2007]
Materials
Horsehair; Artificial flowers
Techniques
Millinery
Categories
Clothing; Fashion; Accessories; Hats & headwear; Women's clothes
Production Type
Haute couture
Collection code
T&F
