Medium: Black silk satin with jet beads

Date: c.1953

Country: France

Credit: Gift of Despina Messinesi

Balenciaga's millinery ranged from minimalist, sculptural designs to dramatic tributes to his Spanish heritage, adorned with jet beads and ball fringe. Hats played an important part in the total look he created. As with his clothes, Balenciaga's hats were not intended to be conventionally pretty, but rather were for providing the finishing touches to his bold architectural silhouettes.

Object Number: 81.69.20