She wears many hats...
So, a little while back, I was working in wardrobe up at Merrimack Rep. Since I had limited duties during the actual performances, I started amusing myself by picking out a different hat to wear every show. A few didn't photograph well, but behind the cut is a montage of the hats I did wear, and any info I can remember about them.
From top to bottom, left to right:
1. Completely feathered buckram frame hat. Circa 1942-1944. Unknown USA Union maker.
2. WWII Army cap, either genuine or a very good replica. Itchy as hell.
3. Costume turban. It was even brighter in person.
4. My "Easter Bonnet". Silk petals on buckram frame, sold by Cherry & Webb, circa 1948-1952. Each flower had a center crystal on a little green-ribbon wrapped wire stamen, to simulate a dew drop.
5. Good old Tweedy from Brooks Brothers.
6. Some silly pirate-esque thing, taffeta built over some older wool costume hat.
7. Little Esther-Williams knit swim-cap style thing. Tough to see, but there is a rose at the widow's peak. 1970s.
8. A pillboxish fall hat, felted wool with heavy silk ribbon. Union made in the USA. Sold by Filenes.
9. Ah, my favorite - Dior, circa 1933-35. Silk fall leaves falling gracefully over turban-inspired silk gathers, netting over the top. Sold by Cherry & Webb.
10. Another Dior, same era - the Whipped Confection. I wish it had photographed better. Yards and yards of delicate pink netting spiraled into a turbanesque shape. One of the women in the cast says she remembers her aunt having that hat.
11. Vintage top-hat (1917-1925). Some kind of animal skin with EXCEPTIONALLY smooth soft dense fur. Sold by Brooks Brothers.
12. Another feathered thing. An early 1950's Japanese copy of something, but a very well made copy. Three different dyes to get that turqoise color, all feathers anchored into a buckram frame.
13. The last of my Diors. All hand-beaded, no idea of era - sometime between 1925 and 1955. Heavy as anything. We suspect the center veins in the leaves were actual pearls (based on their appearance and condition).
14. Chanel, either early 1940s or late 1950s. Very French. Wool with silk ribbon...the little bit on the left is a hand-pulled tassel made out of the brim ribbon.
15. Something from Filenes. Yes, that's how it came to the shop as far as anyone knew. I'd like to say it looked better in person, but it didn't.
All dates above are approximate, based on my knowledge and the knowledge of the shop manager and a few of the women in the cast.
From top to bottom, left to right:
1. Completely feathered buckram frame hat. Circa 1942-1944. Unknown USA Union maker.
2. WWII Army cap, either genuine or a very good replica. Itchy as hell.
3. Costume turban. It was even brighter in person.
4. My "Easter Bonnet". Silk petals on buckram frame, sold by Cherry & Webb, circa 1948-1952. Each flower had a center crystal on a little green-ribbon wrapped wire stamen, to simulate a dew drop.
5. Good old Tweedy from Brooks Brothers.
6. Some silly pirate-esque thing, taffeta built over some older wool costume hat.
7. Little Esther-Williams knit swim-cap style thing. Tough to see, but there is a rose at the widow's peak. 1970s.
8. A pillboxish fall hat, felted wool with heavy silk ribbon. Union made in the USA. Sold by Filenes.
9. Ah, my favorite - Dior, circa 1933-35. Silk fall leaves falling gracefully over turban-inspired silk gathers, netting over the top. Sold by Cherry & Webb.
10. Another Dior, same era - the Whipped Confection. I wish it had photographed better. Yards and yards of delicate pink netting spiraled into a turbanesque shape. One of the women in the cast says she remembers her aunt having that hat.
11. Vintage top-hat (1917-1925). Some kind of animal skin with EXCEPTIONALLY smooth soft dense fur. Sold by Brooks Brothers.
12. Another feathered thing. An early 1950's Japanese copy of something, but a very well made copy. Three different dyes to get that turqoise color, all feathers anchored into a buckram frame.
13. The last of my Diors. All hand-beaded, no idea of era - sometime between 1925 and 1955. Heavy as anything. We suspect the center veins in the leaves were actual pearls (based on their appearance and condition).
14. Chanel, either early 1940s or late 1950s. Very French. Wool with silk ribbon...the little bit on the left is a hand-pulled tassel made out of the brim ribbon.
15. Something from Filenes. Yes, that's how it came to the shop as far as anyone knew. I'd like to say it looked better in person, but it didn't.
All dates above are approximate, based on my knowledge and the knowledge of the shop manager and a few of the women in the cast.