Although much of the media focus May 19th will be on Prince Harry and his bride, there will be plenty of attention devoted to hats. We’re taking our best Special Occasion hats & fascinators to Parkland for our own celebration. 
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Author: Norma Shephard
Titanic era Dresses Headed to Mississauga
In between studying for two psychology exams this week, I’ll be pulling some pieces from archives and packing them for a presentation of #EdwardianFashion. The Mobile Millinery Museum & Costume archive will be returning to Parkland on the Glen Retirement Residence April 14th our ‘Unsinkable Fashion from the Titanic era’ show, An exhibit of authentic Titanic era fashion, much of it as ethereal as the fog that surrounded the fated ship itself.
These are the days that give me joy, so, I’ll be putting on my white gloves and thinking of our foremothers in their elegant silks and wide brimmed hats. I know it wasn’t all lace and tea cakes, (there was suffrage, and war, and tragedy), but we’ll be looking at beauty on the weekend and marvelling at the talent of those who created it. 
What treasures have been handed down in your family?
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Coming May 18, 2018 to Delmanor Prince Edward in Etobicoke
What’s YOUR Favourite Easter bonnet?
Every day is hat day for me, but for you more conservative types, tomorrow’s the day you can cast aside your inhibitions and don the most glorious chapeau you can find.
This is also the weekend to watch that classic feel-good movie, Easter Parade. You will be inspired to buy a fabulous hat if you don’t already have one – or even if you do. The sun is shining, April is almost here, and tomorrow we get to eat chocolate. Do we need another reason to celebrate?
Well…tomorrow we can say “He is risen, He is risen indeed!” and I’ll be going to church in a hat.
What will you be wearing? Send me a pick.
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How to Enjoy my Books for Free
Yesterday, a friend and writing colleague told me she asked her local library to order in my latest book: Darlings of Dress: Children’s Costume 1860 – 1920. They did, and she is thrilled to know she’ll be the first to crack oopen that brand new book.
If you’re a card-carrying member of a public library you can do the same. It’s possible to do it in person or on-line. Give them the name of the book, the author (be sure and spell Shephard with an “A”), and they should be able to find it.
If you’d rather own the book, mine are all available from Amazon.com. The fashion history books above are published by Schiffer Books & Dear Harry can be found at Volumes Books.
But, hey, why not read them for free!
So, talk to your local librarian, ask for the book of your choice, and enjoy. Leave me a comment to let me know how you make out.
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Celebrate the Royal Wedding with a Hat Show or Vintage Wedding Gown Exhibit
This is not the first time I’ve been asked to participate in a Royal Wedding Celebration. Yes, we have to get up at six if we want to observe the nuptuals in real time, but how about relaxing with tea and a hat show or vintage wedding gown presentation in the afternoon?
The Mobile Millinery Museum‘s trademark Retrospective Millinery Fashion Show is popular with church groups, the Red Hatters, and seniors’ groups, and ideal for Mothers’ Day, Easter, and Victoria Day celebrations as well as Royal Wedding Teas.
Here are some details about our vintage fashion presentations which are available year round:
Retrospective Millinery Fashion Show: The Mobile Millinery Museum is home to over 2500 historical hats, half of which are featured in the popular coffee table book, 1,000 Hats. Each is a sartorial treasure evoking feelings of nostalgia and memories of special times. Edith Kennedy of the Uxbridge Historical Museum called our show “fascinating, fun, and entertaining.” But, we’re not just about hats.
Say Yes to the Wedding Dress Exhibit: As seen in Today’s Bride Magazine and the Hamilton Spectator, this presentation from the Mobile Millinery Museum & Costume Archive features a collection of antique and vintage bridal fashion showcasing iconic wedding gowns from the 1860s to the 1980s. Many of the gowns are featured in the book Accessorizing the Bride; Vintage Bridal Fashion Through the Decades and were included in an exhibit of vintage bridal fashion at Toronto’s Casa Loma in 2001. An ideal presentation for June or a Valentine’s Day tea.
Each year we feature a special, exhibit – for 2018 we are trotting out our 1950s collection in a presentation titled “Frantic Fashion from the 1950s“.
We can’t be everywhere at the same time, so book early, or call to enquire about our other vintage fashion presentations.
#vintagehats #hatshows #royalwedding #museumhats #hatmuseum #NormaShephard
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Are you a Hat Fancier, but don’t Fancy Wearing a Hat?
In honour of my recent Miriam Haskell find at Winners (I didn’t even know the MH brand was still around), I thought I would get you woke about the awesome hats which used to appear in the Miriam Haskell ads from the 1930s and’40s. PIctured are a few classic styles: A 1930s pixie hat, a ’40s tilt/doll hat in fur, and a straw boater from the ’30s.
But first a word about those great Miriam Haskell jewelry designs. According to Lori Verderame “Miriam Haskell’s jewelry was worn by some of the most famous fashion icons of the day like Coco Chanel, Jackie Kennedy, Joan Crawford, Marilyn Monroe, and Audrey Hepburn” (Collectors Journal, Feb. 2018).
Just check out those old Lucy shows; you will see the comedienne wearing some Miriam Haskell pieces on camera there as well.
The costume jewelry pieces were known for their intricacy and wow factor. I mean, back in the day, what better way to rock a new hat than with some Miriam Haskell jewellery? The reverse is true as well, of course. But a peek at those prices on the MH website might be a bit of a deterrent.
Have you noticed that the jewelry in these ads is featured in suites? The bracelets match the necklace and clips? And how about the hat and fur stole in image #2? I don’t ever want to hear that less is more. The look is complete perfection, even if it is a little pricey. There have been certain fashion decades when “matchy matchy” ruled the day. You’ll find it again in the ‘60s when women used to have their silk stilettos dyed to match a dress or suit.
But back to the hats: these styles from the ’30s and ’40s are some of my favourites; I feature many of them (the real full-colour historic artefacts) in my book 1,000 Hats. So, if you’re a hat fancier, but don’t fancy wearing a hat, you can collect these beautiful images, or come to one of my retrospective millinery fashion shows, and be photographed in the real thing!
