Untitled (woman in fur stole and elaborate hat) c. 1920

Editor: This photograph by Hamblin Studio depicts a woman in a fur stole and elaborate hat. It seems to capture a moment of poised elegance. What strikes you most about this image? Curator: I see a portrait that raises questions about identity and privilege. The fur stole, the elaborate hat—they speak to a certain level of social standing, but also raise questions about the ethics of fashion and its impact on marginalized communities. Editor: How so? Curator: The image invites us to consider the labor and resources required to produce such finery, and who benefits from it. How does this visual representation of luxury reflect the broader social and economic inequalities of the time, or even now? Editor: It definitely gives me something to think about. Thanks for sharing your perspective! Curator: My pleasure. It’s important to consider the complexities behind even the most seemingly simple portraits.