Vintage Couture: Rare Archie Eason Cartwheel Hat

This early Archie Eason cartwheel hat has every design feature found during the beginning of the New Look style that became immediately prevalent through Dior's work and worn by fashionable, wealthy women beginning about 1953. 

This particular Eason couture hat is destined for a museum or discerning collection. It will be an eye-catching showstopper for exhibition with that massive, glistening brim measuring about 18 inches or nearly 46 cm across. This design is most assuredly a one-of-a-kind hat created by this master milliner. 

The hat bears Eason's nearly secret couture mark. He has sewn single tiny sequin with matching glass bead atop the brim. This barely noticeable sequin and bead are the glittery indicators for the wearer so that the hat may be quickly placed upon the head. Of course, only Eason's couture hats have this tiny signature. 

The hat is entirely hand made and hand sewn. It features a skull cap with that early 1950s widow's peak design, which also helps to date this hat more specifically on a fashion timeline. The under supports are made entirely from woven horsehair. Overall, the hat is constructed from an unusual fiber that appears to be silk gauze. However, a fiber burn test reveals that this is a unique type of cellophane material. The material alone will be of interest to collectors and fashion historians. 

The hat is a very light peach color with gray undertones. The handmade silk flowers are an antique ivory color. The hat is not faded but appears vintage in the overall look as the colors are not bright. Again, close inspection reveals that the hat has not faded in any way, and the slight gray tones are likely the result of the patina that only time can create with certain textiles and fibers. 

This hat is quite special. It is in excellent condition overall and rated at a very high excellent condition, considering age. It is pristine both inside and out without any stains, holes, makeup marks and other problems typically found with millinery examples from this era. An unusual feature is that the interior of the skull cap is faced with silk grosgrain. This was obviously done to protect the hat against the usual problems from wear. The beautiful embroidered Archie Eason silk satin couture label is intact. It is wearable, but hopefully only for special occasions since the hat is considered historically important. It measures to fit a generous size 23 inches or 58.5 cm. The hat may be worn by smaller sizes depending upon the style of the hair. A small hat pin, as found, is included. 

Vintage 1950s Red Velvet Dress Trimmed with Original Owner's Rhinestone Brooch

There is something magical about finding antique or vintage clothing with stories or hints about the original owner. 

This dress has that appeal since its original rhinestone jewelled brooch remains in place from when it was last worn about 6 decades ago.

It is lipstick red and it is quite a beautiful example dating to the late 1950s. 

Made from soft cotton velveteen, the dress drapes beautifully over the figure.

The paneled circle skirt has one pocket on the right side and its length ends just below the knee.

The front of the dress has a dropped princess cut, although the waist is actually centered across the hips. 

Seamstresses and clothing designers, especially, will find it interesting that there are no shoulder seams to  interfere with the bodice's sleek design. The original 1950s embroidered label read Tonny Herbert Original. 

There is no background information about this designer to offer, even though we have spent a goodly amount of time doing the research.

The original rhinestone brooch is original to the dress. It has 14 glistening rhinestones along the bar, including one that caps each end. 

This brilliant dress is entirely authentic and its design features that graceful silhouette which accentuates those unmistakable 1950s curves.  

It will make a magnificent, eye-catching display for museums, especially for 1950s Holiday displays.