Check out the wonderful large brimmed hats from Norman Hartnell in 1938
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-7z2OiiqzA
This is a video from the British Film Institute collection. The models are “ordinary” society women and not professional models. Ascot and Paris oh well and hats were absolutely essential fashion wear in 1938.
The fashions are by Norman Hartnell, designer to the Queen. You can read about Norman Hartnell here and here. Hartnell had many commissions from the Royal Family in the UK dating back to 1935. He was most well known for designing Princess Elizabeth’s (future Queen) Wedding Dress. His customers were a who’s who of the 1930s and 1940s movie stars, including Marlene Dietrich an absolute icon of mine.
