Hat Histories: Sally Victor

1937, MET

Today it's time to look at another millinary master, Sally Victor. Born in Pennsylvania in 1905, she worked at Macy's millinery counter in New York city durring the 1920's before striking out on her own. Sound familiar? Apparently Macy's was the place to start for milliners! The Metropolitan Museum of Art says: 

"She was one of the original members of the Edward C. Blum Design Laboratory, and often used the Brooklyn Museum's varied collections to draw inspiration for her designs. She was so connected with the Design Lab that she participated in several collaborative exhibitions and the museum often used her designs in publicity materials to exemplify how the Lab could benefit designers by providing inspiration. Her work is characterized by a special quirkiness that could often be traced back to interesting sources such as Native American tribes, the artist Henri Matisse or Japanese armor. She also combined traditional hat-making materials such as felt and silk with new synthetic materials in unique ways. According to her May 16, 1977 obituary in the "New York Times," Victor described her mission simply as "designing pretty hats that make women look prettier." 

The Edward C. Blum Design Laboratory was incorporated into FIT in 1973, it seems the lab was part of the museums program to provide access to its collection to students and designers. It sounds like something I would be very interested in were I living in New York in the 40's! 

Anyways, Sally Victor was one of the foremost milliners during the last heyday of hats from the late twenties to the early 1970's. I think her use of color and the "quirkiness" the MET described make for some timelessly wonderful hats, so lets take a look...

Sally Victor at work

1935, MET

I adore this hat, I simply adore it! The semi sheer lightweight straw, with the most diaphanous netting with black dots and a cluster of ivory silk flowers add up to one gorgeous hat. In my dreams, I find hats like this for a fiver in some unknown thrift shop...

1938, MET

This Sally Victor hat has been an inspiration of mine since my first forays into millinery. Just look at the shape! I assume this was blocked, but I can't really say how the thicker flat weave straw was wrangled into the spiraling form! A quirky classic, wear it with anything and everything!

1938, MET

Here is an example where you can start to see what I mean about Victor's use of color. The dark olive green base with the jewel toned feathers and the lighter olive veiling together are delightful. I would wear this in a heartbeat!

1933, MET

This cornucopia looking hat again makes great use of color! The little yarn fruits! So adorable, another hat I'd love to wear.

1940, MET

Just a great shape, imagine this with a great suit!

1953, MET

A great little 50's example. You guys know I am obsessed with straw hats right now, and this coral embellished number is perfect for summer! Notice too how the underlining is aqua blue!

1956, MET

Another larger brimmed hat rendered ultra feminine through the use of transparency. Just stunning, and the cabbage roses in ivory silk! 

1944, MET

I would never think to pair a big pink flower with this more traditional colored plaid, but my does it work! So cute!

1944, MET

A great button shape made extra fun by the addition of very natural looking feathers. 

1935, MET

Lets be honest guys, I want all of these hats, but this is one that really appeals to me. There is something I love about light colored straw with the dark veiling. This hat is my idea of perfection.

1942, MET

More great colors! Such beautiful silk flowers, I wish it were easier/less cost prohibitive to get a hold of great dead stock millinery flowers these days.

1941, MET

Lightest dove grey blue, warm yellow roses, ivory ostrich feathers and olive green veiling...so beautiful! 

1942, LACMA

Novelty prints, bright colors, and a frothy pom pom of ribbons, what more can a girl ask for?

1942, MET

Another great straw hat, I just love the straw examples!

1942, LACMA

More great colors, and a striped fabric! So fun!

Compiling this post, now I am feeling very inspired! I need to get hatting and make some fun toppers to wear this summer!