The milliners at the “One Block Many Milliners” show drew as much attention as their creations that were on display. Monika Stebbins, for example, and Conney Borda turned many a head.
“Dunes,” by Monika Stebbins
and“Peacock Pinwheel,” by Conney Borda
Stebbins (left) is wearing “Dunes,” made with Sinamay straw and eyelash feathers. She was inspired by the beach, the undulating sea oats waving in the wind.
Dyed peacock feathers and an ostrich plume embellish Borda’s hat (right). Asked how it all stays in place, she replied, “glue and patience.” (Photo: Diane Vacca)
“RIPP,” by Cha Cha
This hat is hand-dyed honeycomb sisal straw trimmed with a pheasant wing and hand-made bird.
“’RIPP,’” said Cha Cha, “means ‘Rest in Peace, Patty.’” Patty was her dad’s bird. When Cha Cha made the straw bird for the hat, she enclosed Patty’s bones within the body, used the skull for the head and trimmed the hat with the bird’s feathers. “How creepy!” she commented. Cha Cha likes making things that aren’t perfect, things whose lack of perfection makes them interesting. (Photo: Diane Vacca)
“Skyline Hat,” by Regina McCarthy
“Black Rose,” by Regina McCarthy
Photo: Karen Cunningham“Bordello” and “Blocked,” by Judith Solodkin
Milliner Judith Solodkin is modeling “Bordello,” a hat she created out of hot-pink fur felt, garter belts, and black lace. “It’s lingerie out in the open,” she remarked.
Solodkin made “Blocked” (right) out of three fur felt crowns and one fur felt brim. Decorative pom-poms made of acrylic-wool blend are crocheted into the hat body. “‘Blocked’ is my reaction to the bowl shape of the hat block,” Solodkin noted, “and I emphasized this shape by repeating it three times. The pom-poms are small round shapes that echo the larger shape.” (Photo: Diane Vacca)This hat is made of “woven paper, cellophane and Sinamay straw, with decorative pom-poms made with acrylic-wool blend, crocheted separately and attached to the hat body,” the milliner noted. “‘Princess Leia’ is the block deconstructed. The same pom-poms are used as summer earmuffs to unify the two hats.” (Photo: Diane Vacca)
Why Have Hats Fallen Into Disuse?
Cha Cha assigns part of the responsibility to Vatican II (1962–65), which altered tradition by allowing women to attend church without covering their heads. At the same time, she said (along with many of the other milliners), hair spray and other products for the hair became really important. Many women feel that wearing a hat will “mess up their hair” and give them “hat head.” Since few people wear hats now, those who do really stand out,” said Cha Cha. “When you’re wearing a hat, you’re getting attention. If you’re wearing an interesting hat, you’re kind of a kooky person. Which is a good thing— I think—but a lot of people don’t want to be that.”People wear hats to protect themselves from the elements, not just in winter, but in summer, from the sun. But there’s another good reason to wear a hat that you may not have suspected. Conney Borda knows that a hat “gets you off jury duty. For some reason, it works every time.”
Great article but one small important change – one of the artists you profiled is Judith Solodkin not Sorodkin.
I did a video of this exhibition. Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZpCIitZfss
You have a good eye, Grace! Thank you for letting us know. I’m not sure how that error slipped by, but I’ve just corrected it.
Diane,
Thanks so much for this splendid piece that is illustrated with photographs of such interesting hats. I know that you spent hours attending the exhibit, photographing the hats, interviewing the milliners and then writing this post.
I do hope that women begin to wear hats again since a hat so often finishes an outfit so perfectly.
Pat Allen
Thank you, Pat. The details– the nitty-gritty of layout, copy editing and picture editing– can be tedious. And writing is hardly ever easy. But they’re well worth the fun I have meeting and talking with interesting and creative people.
Hats are gorgeous .I love them . thanks you for bringing us these pictures . They are really convenient in the winter and in the rain, so there is a need but no creativity…
Plus hats are good in the summer to walk in the street and stay cool and protect the skin…
I always wear a hat to the US open for example.
Christine, you could wear one of these with panache.
The milliners will love you!
How wonderful! I adore hats and am going to make a concerted effort to help bring them back!!