VALUABLE 1960S' DESIGNER JACK MCCONNELL NAVY STRAW HAT + WHITE APPLIQUÉ

This is an amazing authentic Jack McConnell collector's hat made of navy straw + white lace appliqué with rhinestones. Jack McConnell (1916-2007) Pursued acting career in New York City - he specialized in southern accents for radio shows. He served three years in the Coast Guard during World War II. While stationed at Staten Island, he was dating a woman who was a hat designer. He decided to try making a hat himself and succeeded. He went into millinery designing and learned by making model hats for Laddie Northridge, an acclaimed milliner. At one time he was referred to as the "King of Millinery". He designed hats for movie stars such as Joan Crawford and Lana Turner. If a hat bears the label "Styled by Jack McConnell New York" it is a one of a kind McConnell original, designed by Jack McConnell. A red feather would have been pinned under these labels. Label: Styled by Jack McConnell New York + RED FEATHER This is one of the Jack's hats that he himself created, proved by the red feather attached to the label. Note: Inside the hat there are yellow stains on the appliqué and inside lace band. These do not detract from the hat's beauty, as they can't be seen. This is an authentic piece of fashion history! This hat is in wonderful vintage condition & has been lovingly preserved among over 1300 vintage hats we have collected for 40+ years. Feathers, straw, flowers & veils are fragile, given their age. Mannequin not for sale.