Explore Black History

1955 - 1965

A cream hat with black flowers and leaves. The hat is made from three panels of cream synthetic plain weave – two for the crown and one for the brim. Black concentric machine stitches go around the brim that are approximately .25” apart. A .5” Petersham ribbon is handstitched in place around the circumference of the crown. There are four bunches of flowers arranged around the front of the hat. It’s possible that these flowers have been cut from another garment or hat because at the underside of each flower bunch are remnants (beading and straw) from its previous use. Three of the four flower bunches are on the brim, and one is on the proper left of the hat. Each flower bunch consists of leaves and stems. The leaves are made from synthetic plain-woven polyester that has been heat pressed to create a leaf-like texture and a very thin paper-covered metal wire is adhered to the center back. Petals of various sizes made from black synthetic organza are included in each bunch. The petals along the bottom of each flower bunch are larger with edges that are curled under, and the middle layer of petals have been heat pressed to create a flower-like texture. The top layer of petals are the smallest and have been crimped at the center and each flower has paper pistils at the center that have been painted black at the ends. There are thicker stems underneath the whole structure made from metal wire, covered in black plastic tubing and the metal wire is exposed at the ends. The hat’s underbrim is lined with black synthetic knit and there’s a middle layer of stiffener (possibly buckram) between the inner and out brim. The inside of the crown is lined with two panels of black synthetic plain weave fabric and a 1” black Petersham ribbon is machine stitched along the inside of crown. There is a layer of buckram between the inner lining and the outside of the hat and the underbrim is lined with black synthetic knit. There are two woven fabric labels on the inside of the hat. At the center back interior is a white woven fabric label that reads [MAISON'S / 13TH & G ST. N.W. / WASHINGTON DC]. At the inside of the crown is a second white woven fabric label that reads [ORIGINAL / HENRY MARGU / CREATIONS] in red script.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2007.3.719

hats

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petersham (ribbon), synthetic plain weave (possibly nylon), polyester, plastic, buckram, metal wire, adhesive, and paper (fiber product)

L x W: 15 1/4 × 15 1/2 × 5 1/2 × 20 in. (38.7 × 39.4 × 14 × 50.8 cm)

Object Name • Cream hat with black flowers and leaves

nmaahc_2007.3.719

NMAAHC

CREAM HAT WITH BLACK FLOWERS AND LEAVES

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1960s • 1950s

Margu, Henry • Black Fashion Museum

Design • Millinery • Clothing and dress • Fashion

Images

No Known Copyright Restrictions