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Hat

ca. 1950 (made)
Artist/Maker
Balenciaga, Cristóbal (designer)
Place of origin
Paris (made)

Beret shaped decorative straw hat. Made from a very glossy golden straw, the decoration consists of leaves and berries. Mounted on to a wired base with a crown of netted straw. The head band of white corded silk ribbon trimmed with a dull yellow ribbon. There is a brown bead elastic strap and at the centre back is a rectangular woven label in black and white silk:
BALENCIAGA
10, Avenue George V
PARIS

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Discover more about this object
read Introducing Cristóbal Balenciaga Famed for his exquisite craftmanship and innovative designs, Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga was known as 'The Master' of haute couture. An inspiration to those who follow in his footsteps, his work continues to shape fashion today.

Object details

Categories
Fashion
Hats & Headwear
Object type
Hat
Materials and techniques
Straw, silk, elastic
Straw
Silk (Textile)
Beads
Netting
Cording
Beading
Brief description
Beret shaped hat, Balenciaga, Paris, ca. 1950.
Physical description
Beret shaped decorative straw hat. Made from a very glossy golden straw, the decoration consists of leaves and berries. Mounted on to a wired base with a crown of netted straw. The head band of white corded silk ribbon trimmed with a dull yellow ribbon. There is a brown bead elastic strap and at the centre back is a rectangular woven label in black and white silk:
BALENCIAGA
10, Avenue George V
PARIS
Marks and inscriptions
BALENCIAGA 10, Avenue George V Paris (On maker's label at inner, centre back.)
Gallery label
(12/05/2017)
‘Balenciaga’s hats are an integral part of his fashion,’ reported the French fashion review Jardin des modes in 1961. They ensure ‘that volumes are balanced and the silhouette is perfectly finished off.’ Fairly conventional ensembles were often paired with a striking hat which lifted the whole look and made it appear more avant-garde. The client could buy the whole ensemble or leave the hat if it was too daring. The designs for hats were as fiercely protected as those for dresses. The police commissioner stamped the official sketches of the hats to protect them from being copied.

Hat with straw leaves
Silk and straw
Cristóbal Balenciaga, Paris, about 1950
Given by Miss Catherine Hunt
V&A: T.115-1970
Credit line
Given by Miss Catherine Hunt
Object history
Worn by Martita Hunt, the British actor. Martita Hunt (1900-1969) was a British theatre and film actor, best known for her 1946 performance as Miss Havisham in David Lean's film version of 'Great Expectations'.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.115-1970

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Record createdFebruary 14, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O109244/hat-balenciaga-cristóbal/
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