Imaginative Felts

"A hat must be a creation of realities and dreams and that it should be remembered with pleasure by those who see it."   Aage Thaarup's Theory of Millinery

Women's Fashion 1930 - 1939
Illustration courtesy allposters.com

The unusual shaped and often whimsical quality of women's hats during the late 1930's became a popular design feature of millinery during this turbulent time period. Italian born French designer Elsa Schiaparelli was most notably associated with the Surrealist Movement that sought to "liberate the imagination". She was a master at the technique of manipulating felt and other materials into delightfully stylish and sophisticated hats with a touch of humor.

Elsa Schiaparelli's "Hurricane Hat" from 1936.
Illustrated for Vogue by Eric. Photo courtesy antiquetrader.com

Miss Madra Lord

An asymmetric, rich forest green, wool felt hat with feather and beading detail is tailor made for Monolithic Studios' star Madra Lord by the milliners at The Couture Touch. Miss Lord's jacket, blouse, and gloves are from Ashton Drake, handbag from PD Root, and the ooak cigarette holder is from Mystyna. The luscious mink cape is from miniature furrier Dimitha. Dream Sequence Madra Lord is from Integrity.

Miss Gene Marshall

Gene Marshall captivates her fans in a chic, royal blue, wool felt, Deco-inspired hat from The Couture Touch. Miss Marshall knows the importance of choosing the right hat for her outfit. Fur-collared jacket and matching muff are from D.A.E. Originals' "Business Call" suit ensemble. Embroidered gloves are from Ashton Drake. Blue Belle Gene Marshall, enhanced with an articulated body from Integrity, is from Ashton Drake.

Not your typical felts. Intriguing new hats for 1939. Left: a cocoa-brown, forward-jutting beret from Schiaparelli.
Photo courtesy justskirtsanddresses.blogspot.com

Whimsical felt hat from Caroline Reboux, 1938.
Photo courtesy hprints.com

"In difficult times fashion is always outrageous."    Elsa Schiaparelli

Inspiration: Architectural Details

The Art Deco period of the 1930's inspired the milliners at The Couture Touch to design this chic felt cocktail hat exclusively for Monolithic Studios' resident jazz singer, Miss Violet Waters. Gown from Madame Alexander. Jewels from Ashton Drake. OOAK cigarette holder is from Mystyna.

Art Deco inspired cocktail hat 

Stunning Art Deco elevator doors from the Chrysler Building.
Photo courtesy g-buckley1215-dc.blogspot.com 

Miss Violet Waters

Credits:
Sunset Serenade Violet Waters is from Integrity.

Experiment in Straw

Inspired by a noted French fashion designer, the milliners at The Couture Touch have been hard at work experimenting with straw to create new fashionable toppers for the stars of Monolithic Studios.

Gene Marshall

For a publicity shoot, Gene Marshall wears the sleek, striped suit originally worn by Madra Lord in the 1940 film "She Went to Rio". Miss Marshall tops the Adrian-inspired suit with a fabulous straw hat from The Couture Touch. Suit and gloves are from Ashton Drake. Fur is from miniature furrier PD Root.

The inspiration for Miss Marshall's hat was this marvelous Elsa Schiaparelli cellophane straw hat, circa 1939. Illustration courtesy hprints.com

Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall, on location for her new film, wears a dramatic version of this whimsical topper. The black lacquered straw with red and turquoise stripe detailing along with red and black beaded suede gauntlet gloves and coordinating handbag complement this late 1930's suit ensemble. Hat, gloves and skirt are from The Couture Touch. Red jacket is borrowed from J'Adore Gene Marshall and is accented with a floral jabot (originally an Ashton Drake hair ornament). The original buttons on the jacket were updated. Handbag is from Sandra Stillwell.

Ivy Jordan

While scouting a new location for Miss Marshall's new film, director Ivy Jordan wears a smart, basic black dress topped with a fabulous burgundy suede hat with a crown of black straw. A narrow black grosgrain band artfully holds a single black feather. Dress, gloves, handbag, and earrings are from Ashton Drake. Hat and brooch are from The Couture Touch.

Credits:

Symphony in G Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.
Phoenix Gene Marshall, sporting a chic wig from Monique, is from JamieShow.
Color Deal Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.