Hat
1955-1960 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Balenciaga was the most exclusive fashion house in Paris immediately after World War II. The Spanish-born couturier, Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1972) had set up in business there in 1937 in partnership with the hat designer Vladzio d'Attainville. At its height, the business had four dress-making, four tailoring and two millinery workshops.
Hats were made bespoke to complete couture clients' outfits. The etiquette of the period dictated that hats be worn on all formal occasions, even when going out for a meal in a restaurant or to a performance at the theatre. Elaborate hats such as this example would have been worn to cocktail parties or to dinner.
Gloria Guinness, to whom this hat belonged, commented: 'hats must be made on your head. A ready-made hat will not be you! While I am sitting for a dress, I sit ten minutes longer, and Monsieur Balenciaga works on a hat.'
Hats were made bespoke to complete couture clients' outfits. The etiquette of the period dictated that hats be worn on all formal occasions, even when going out for a meal in a restaurant or to a performance at the theatre. Elaborate hats such as this example would have been worn to cocktail parties or to dinner.
Gloria Guinness, to whom this hat belonged, commented: 'hats must be made on your head. A ready-made hat will not be you! While I am sitting for a dress, I sit ten minutes longer, and Monsieur Balenciaga works on a hat.'
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Sheared ostrich feathers |
Brief description | Hat with ostrich feathers, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, Paris, 1955-1960. |
Physical description | Cap of black sheared ostrich feathers trimmed with two pompoms. Inside there is an attached comb. |
Production type | Haute couture |
Marks and inscriptions | 'BALENCIAGA, 10 Avenue George V, Paris' (Label) |
Gallery label |
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Credit line | Given by Mrs Loel Guinness |
Object history | Worn and given by Mrs Loel Guinness |
Historical context | Gloria Rubio y Alatorre, better known as Gloria Guinness (1912 - 1980) was an elegant socialite and writer of the mid 20th century. Her third husband, whom she married in 1951, was Group Capt. Thomas Loel Guinness, a Member of Parliament (died 1989) and an heir to the Guinness beer fortune. Her only child, Countess Dolores von Fürstenberg -Herdringen (born in 1936) married her stepbrother Patrick Guinness. She was voted second 'Best Dressed Woman' in the world by Time magazine in 1962. Jackie Kennedy was in first place. (See Time magazine Jan 26 1962) |
Associations | |
Summary | Balenciaga was the most exclusive fashion house in Paris immediately after World War II. The Spanish-born couturier, Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1972) had set up in business there in 1937 in partnership with the hat designer Vladzio d'Attainville. At its height, the business had four dress-making, four tailoring and two millinery workshops. Hats were made bespoke to complete couture clients' outfits. The etiquette of the period dictated that hats be worn on all formal occasions, even when going out for a meal in a restaurant or to a performance at the theatre. Elaborate hats such as this example would have been worn to cocktail parties or to dinner. Gloria Guinness, to whom this hat belonged, commented: 'hats must be made on your head. A ready-made hat will not be you! While I am sitting for a dress, I sit ten minutes longer, and Monsieur Balenciaga works on a hat.' |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | T.60-1974 |
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Record created | March 14, 2005 |
Record URL |
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