Hat thumbnail 1
Hat thumbnail 2
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Hat

1950s (made)
Artist/Maker
Heim, Jacques (designer)
Place of origin
Paris (made)

Hats were considered an essential fashion accessory in the 1950s. The two main styles during this time were small, and often very elaborate, skull-caps, or wide ‘saucer’ hats. Wide brimmed straw hats such as this would have been worn with a tailored suit or day dress.

This hat is by the couturier Jacques Heim (1899–1967). Heim introduced his youthful Jeunes Filles line in 1936 and a boutique accessories line from the mid 1940s. His Heim-Actualité ready-to-wear collection launched in 1950 was sold in outlets in the South of France. Women’s Wear Daily described him as ‘basically an innovator in business. He didn’t want to be called a designer, but rather an editor of clothes’.

Object details

Categories
Hats & Headwear
Fashion
Womenswear
Accessories
Europeana Fashion Project
Object type
Hat
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Hat
  • Hat Pin
Materials and techniques
Straw with wire grips
Brief description
Yellow straw hat with metal hat pin, designed by Jacques Heim, Paris, 1950s
Physical description
Yellow straw saucer hat with wire head grips, and a metal pin with a straw end.
Gallery label
(22/09/2007)
BOUTIQUE AND ACCESSORIES [case label]

Small shops or boutiques situated on the ground floor of the couture houses became increasingly common. They sold a range of luxury goods such as cosmetics, jewellery, knitwear, accessories and what were called in Paris frivolités. Clients might call in at the boutique following a lengthy fitting to pick up an off-the-peg blouse or some perfume.

Eventually, some houses such as Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin opened separate boutiques selling ready-to-wear designs for a growing youth market.


[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
Credit line
Given by Mrs Vivienne Lawrie
Historical context
This hat is by the couturier Jacques Heim (1899-1967). Heim introduced his youthful Jeunes Filles line in 1936 and a boutique accessories line from the mid 1940s. His Heim-Actualité ready-to-wear collection launched in 1950 was sold in outlets in the south of France. Women's Wear Daily described him as 'basically an innovator in business. He didn't want to be called a designer, but rather an editor of clothes'.

Some hats designed by couturier were bespoke, however many were sold 'ready-to-wear' in the Boutique of the house.
Summary
Hats were considered an essential fashion accessory in the 1950s. The two main styles during this time were small, and often very elaborate, skull-caps, or wide ‘saucer’ hats. Wide brimmed straw hats such as this would have been worn with a tailored suit or day dress.

This hat is by the couturier Jacques Heim (1899–1967). Heim introduced his youthful Jeunes Filles line in 1936 and a boutique accessories line from the mid 1940s. His Heim-Actualité ready-to-wear collection launched in 1950 was sold in outlets in the South of France. Women’s Wear Daily described him as ‘basically an innovator in business. He didn’t want to be called a designer, but rather an editor of clothes’.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.370&A-1996

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Record createdJanuary 29, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O144177/hat-heim-jacques/
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