Platte hoed van zwart fluweel met zwarte, iriserende hanen(?)veren c. 1950s

This flat hat made of black velvet and iridescent rooster feathers was crafted by Elysee Modes. While undated, the materials and style connect it to earlier ideas about beauty and fashion. Once, the hat was a potent signifier of femininity and status. The use of feathers, however, raises questions about ethics, fashion, and historical context. How were these feathers acquired? What impact did the demand for such adornments have on bird populations and ecosystems? The hat’s allure is complicated when you consider these concerns. It reflects a time when fashion often overshadowed environmental issues and animal welfare. This hat, with its dark iridescence, speaks of desire and luxury. But it also tells a story about the complex relationship between fashion, identity, and our environment. It asks us to consider the cost of beauty.