Hat 1937

Marie Famularo made this watercolor of a hat sometime between December 27, 1937, and January 31, 1938. The softness of the watercolor medium lends itself well to depicting the textures of the hat – the smooth velvet brim, the airy lace trim, and the fluffy mass of feathers. The techniques used to make the hat itself are more varied: perhaps machine-sewn fabrics combined with hand-stitched details and the careful placement of decorative elements. Hats like this one were once an everyday sight, particularly in the wardrobes of middle and upper-class women. The hat was not merely an accessory, it was an elaborate construction, involving the labor of designers, milliners, and seamstresses, each contributing their skills. This small watercolor preserves the memory of these traditions, while subtly reminding us of the many hands involved in its production. It prompts us to consider how the world of fashion and craft intersect.