Vintage Mid-century Millinery Hats Exhibit

<>

A MILLINERY TALE: THE HISTORY OF LADIES HATS January 18 – April 17, 2011 Women have been wearing hats for centuries,and the millinery trade itself has become an art form independent from women’s fashion. Explore the history of the millinery trade and learn about various materials, styles and shapes used in women’s hats over the last 300 years. The term “milliner” developed in the 16th century from hat makers known as “Millaners” who imported special trimmings such as ribbons and straw from Milan because it was the best source. The exhibit will reveal how hat styles and hat-wearing trends have changed, and showcase hat designs from the turn of the century through the 1960s and a large collection of international hats, including those for ceremonial use and daily wear. Hats are on loan from the collection of Beverly Chico, prominent author and hat historian, and from the Molly Brown House Museum. The majority of the hats on display are part of the museum’s own mid-century hat collection.