Vintage Vogue Hat From circa 1948 Featuring Voluptuous Cascade of Iridescent French Coq Feathers

------------

Photographs and text copyright 2012 by J. Henri.

This is a beautiful and rare millinery find for vintage fashion aficionados who appreciate fine, theatrical, late circa 1940S design. This vintage hat was first sold by a design house located not far from Hollywood California...and it was produced and originally sold about 60 years ago.

This hat is truly stunning and bold in style. It was elaborately designed and marketed to very high-end clientele. Both workmanship and quality are exceptional in comparison to many hats from this era.

This hat was designed as an artistic version that combined two styles properly coined in millinery terms as somewhere between a toque and a beret. With no brim, the hat is accurately described as a toque in terminology...but it also has that French beret feel to its construction. This is no surprise, since the New Look was being heralded in at Paris by Monsieur Dior at the very moment when this hat was offered for sale in California.

It is difficult to separate the hat from its trim...the eye immediately goes to the ornate bouquet of opulent feathers. However, the hat is a brilliant work of millinery art created entirely from the most luscious, felted merino and cashmere fibers.

The felted woolen velour that makes up this hat is extraordinarily thick, luxurious and so very delicious to the touch. The design therefore is intricately destailed and literally sculpted from this extraordinary cashmere and merino wool felt. Entirely hand-sewn, the hat is molded, creased, pleated and tucked. It drapes beautifully over the head and feels rich and couture-like.

The hat is made to lie to the very side of the head in a dramatic, theatrical manner so that one side of the face and neck is literally draped with those amazing feathers. Each feather is individually fashioned, trimmed and clipped. The iridescence in the black feathers flashes platinum highlights as well as deep teal and hues of pink and purple in a most subtle, but naturally beautiful way against the deep dark blackness of the coq's plumage.

As the feathers drape around the cheek, the chin and tickle the neck, they feel warm and lovely...and rich. You will have to remind yourself to not stroke this hat because it feels that much a part of you...feathers, cashmere and all.

The original millinery elastic is intact. The elastic is designed to be hidden beneath the hair as it keeps this hat firmly in place. The label, which reads Styled by Coralie in California, indicates the back of the hat and its placement on the head.

This hat measures to a very generous size of 22 inches or 56 cm. It will nicely fit those with extra thick hair, or extra thick and long hair. Please inquire about fitting if you are at all concerned prior to purchase. The sizing could be increased to at least 23 inches, or nearly 59 cm, if not slightly more...if a seamstress or milliner replaced and resized the interior grosgrain facing professionally. However, as it is now, the hat is a generous 22 or 56 cm.

This beautiful hat is in vintage mint condition, even though it has been gently worn. The interior French grosgrain facing is slightly discolored in tiny dots in areas due to vintage hair pins and hair spray. This minor discoloring is only evident upon the silk grosgrain facing and on the designer's label which has been also worn from hair pins.

Otherwise, the hat is pristine both inside and out. It is absolutely free from damage and the feathers are entirely strong and intact.

This is an exceptionally beautiful circa 1948 hat and it will continue to be a beloved treasure for anyone who appreciates its unique and truly fine, glamorous vintage design.

**Please refer to the photographs. If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to inquire prior to purchase.

**There are no unpleasant storage odors. There are no moth nips, snags nor other damage in any way. This item comes from a professional collection, in a strictly non-smoking environment.

***Notice: If you would like to receive notice as to when inventory is added...or be notified when price reductions occur, then please click "Subscribe" as listed in the column to the left. Your email address is not spammed and is kept private. If you have any specific questions, please email us directly. Thank you!

Item ID: CASCADEFEATHERS02282064