Help with Christian Dior Chapeaux

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Mark E McCloskey

Registered Guest
Greetings from chilly northwest New Mexico! I was doing research on a very nice Christian Dior feather hat and came across this site. My wife picked up this amazing hat at an estate sale thinking I could put it in my shop.

I know NOTHING about ladies hats! From the limited research I have been able to do so far, this hat appears to have some value. I'm guessing it is from the 1950's? Dyed pink feathers? It has netting on the inside and netting with sequins (?) on the outside. I was hoping someone could fill in the blanks for me???

Looking forward to hearing from you! Thank you in advance. Mark

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Mark,

That is a nice hat, and a great color. I would place it squarely in the 1960s time period. It was made right here in the USA, in New York, although the label says "Paris". Dior licensed label hats of this style and era are not as sought after as the couture Dior hats, but are certainly collected. After all it is a still a Dior. The feathers are a mix of rooster hackles and some other domestic bird (goose, turkey. etc). Values are all over the place, it really depends on where it sells and how much the buyer likes the hat. We do not give values here on the VFG Forums, best to check Ebay sold items that are similar. I have seen that hat a number of times over the years, in a variety of colors.
 
Barbara,

Thank you for all the valuable information! I have been looking on eBay but haven't seen any like this one yet. Would Dior have made a series of this style and color or are these pretty much one-of-a-kind creations? Do they come in different sizes - if so how would I determine what size this one is? I'd like to get as much information as possible in my listing. Thanks again! Mark
 
Mark,

It would not be a one-of-a-kind creation. It would have been made in fairly large numbers, by a New York hat maker (not made by Dior itself) and sold through upscale department stores and shops around the country. Each store may have had only 1 or a few in each color or style, giving the sense of exclusivity at least in that city or town. I am not sure, but I doubt Dior approved a series of this exact style, it is more likely made for just the one season/year. And yes, it would have been made in different colors, I have seen this one in blue for instance. There were variations of this made also in the same year, perhaps a taller crown, etc. I am not sure if Bohan had a hand in designing your hat, but here was a variety of hats Dior put out with similar style of feathers covered in netting and tulle, often with tiny rhinestones. So it is not a scarce style for a 1960s Dior.

No, the hats were made to fit the average head, and actually at that time period would (usually) have been a made little on the small side (by today's standards). You can measure around the inside circumference which will give you the head size, although this hat would have been for the average woman's head, today it would seem small. the hats were made to wear with the teased up hair styles of the 60s, so they generally sat more perched on the head. So, a size 22 on a tag might not actually be 22" around.
 
Barbara - it is apparent that I am fortunate to be the recipient of your vast expertise! You are truly an expert in your field and I very much appreciate your assistance. Thank you again and God bless! Mark
 
You are truly an expert in your field
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Barbara is indeed our resident hat expert. She has been collecting hats for a very long time and has a wealth of knowledge about them. We consider ourselves fortunate that she is a VFG member and willing to share her expertise with all of us.
 
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