Hoed van zwarte, gewatteerde ripszijde met opstaande rand aan de achterkant (zgn. relevé), versierd met zes roze rozen c. 1948 - 1952

This hat, made by Elsa Schiaparelli, is crafted from black quilted ribbed silk and adorned with six pink roses. Schiaparelli, a contemporary of Coco Chanel, infused an avant-garde spirit into the world of fashion. In a time when women were renegotiating their roles, Schiaparelli's designs offered a bold departure from traditional feminine styles. Her collaboration with Surrealist artists such as Salvador Dalí brought a playful yet subversive edge to her creations. Consider how this hat embodies a certain tension. The dark, somber fabric contrasts with the delicate, romantic roses. It's a visual dialogue between strength and femininity, reflecting the complex identities women were forging in the early 20th century. Schiaparelli once said, "Fashion is not only about clothes, it's about creating a persona." This hat becomes more than just an accessory; it's a statement of self-expression, a symbol of the evolving roles and identities of women in a rapidly changing world.