Bill Cunningham William J. Red Leather Turban Style Hat

Description

Perhaps you saw the Capsule Collection of William J. hats that I posted in 2012. The whole collection of 22 … more Perhaps you saw the Capsule Collection of William J. hats that I posted in 2012. The whole collection of 22 hats were snapped up in an instant by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC for the Costume Institute collection.
William J. is the "nom de chapeau" for Bill Cunningham the late beloved photographer of street style and high society events for the New York Times. Before his career as a photographer his creative talents were used as a milliner in the 1940''s and 50''s, working under the name William J. an abbreviation of his name. This hat is from the same source as the hats that are now at The Met. They come from a friend and neighbour who was the niece of an executive at Bonwit Teller in New York back in the day when ladies wore hats to work. The executive was a very good friend of Mr. Cunningham, resulting in this large cache of hats found in Bucks County.
This hat is made from a very fine, thin red leather. It is wrapped like a turban with a stylized bow at the front. It has a cross hatch of grosgrain ribbon inside to hold the shape. The label is missing, but the interior construction of this hat and the green ne are identical. The condition of this hat is fair, there are two damaged areas, it is probably best used for display.
Measurements;
Height 10"
Width 12"
Interior circumference 22.5" less