6.17.2010

A Royal Faux Hawk

EDIT: I'm currently working on creating an organization for my posts.  Somehow, in the process, this old one was republished. Not sure how it happened, but rest assured, I'm not trying to make you feel like you're losing your mind, your deja vu is justified!!!


"...With the decline in the popularity of hats, the business closed in 1970, brought down by what Mr. John described acidly as 'orthopedic hairdos and french fried curls.'" - From Mr. John's obituary , The New York Times, 1993.

WELL. In that case THANK YOU, french fried orthopedic curl-styling hairdressers, for making this hat, by none other than Mr. John, available for my purchase, at a thrift shop. Who would throw this out? I'd like to have a word with her.

From the obituary (full text here):
In the 1940's and 1950's, the name Mr. John was as famous in the world of hats as Christian Dior was in the realm of haute couture. At a time when other milliners were piling on flowers, feathers and tulle, Mr. John was stripping hats naked, relying on pure shape for effect...

His clients included stars of film, stage, opera and the society pages. Among the fashionable women who wore his designs were the Duchess of Windsor, Gloria Swanson, Gloria Vanderbilt, Lauren Bacall, Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell. His hats were worn by Vivien Leigh in "Gone With the Wind," by Marlene Dietrich in "Shanghai Express," by Greta Garbo in "The Painted Veil" and by Marilyn Monroe in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."
Images styled and photographed by (IN)DECOROUS TASTE. Modeling by Cristin.

13 comments:

M said...

That is a fantastic hat! I wouldn't know when or where to wear it, but it's really a masterpiece.

Cristin said...

That hat is so cozy. Mr. John was brilliant!

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

Holy Hat-that is pure Indecorous Taste-all the time. I looked in to find a real post somewhere& great one at that. Look no further. Thank YOU.

Helen James said...

Emmm unbelievable, the structure and feathers! uniquely elegant x x

Milk and Honey said...

Lovely. I'm glad I found your blog, liking the mix of fashion and interior design

Beth Connolly said...

I adore hats and this one is stunning. I am on a one woman crusade to bring back hats. I collect hats, especially vintage ones.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

What a fabulous hat -seriously stunning! That is a hat worth keeping, what was the woman thinking who gave it to goodwill! Always a treasure hiding at goodwil...
I hope you wear this hat DAILY!

Interior Design Firm said...

Good very nice photos.

Lucinda said...

I'm pleased this was re-posted as I don't think I saw it the first time. I love how the graceful shape of the crown is off-set by those feathers!

Danielle @ Story of Style said...

Wow, that is truly beautiful.

Fanny said...

I really like the shape of this hate, so strange and beautiful at the same time!
Love it !

sophia said...

wow.

Anonymous said...

Nice post...Thank you for sharing some good things!!

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