Baret van mosgroen vilt versierd met wollen Schots geruite band en een pluim veren c. 1945 - 1948

This beret, made by Caroline Reboux, is moss-green felt, adorned with a wool tartan band and a feather plume. The artist’s process feels very tactile, like she is exploring the possibilities of colour and form, as she combines natural and synthetic materials. The beret has an interesting tension between soft and structured elements, I am drawn to the way the rigid geometry of the tartan contrasts with the loose, organic shape of the feather. The deep, earthy tones of the moss-green felt and the feather plume against the bright red and green of the tartan create a striking visual harmony, a juxtaposition of natural and artificial elements. The materials give a sense of depth and texture, which invites you to touch it. I wonder if Reboux was familiar with Elsa Schiaparelli, another designer known for her bold use of colour and playful experimentation with form. Art is always a conversation between the past and the present. I like that this piece holds many possibilities.