Museum object · Clothing - Fashion and Historical
Black feathered fascinator from Mae's Millinery Shop
1941-1994
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
Source catalog description
This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.
Black fascinator with ostrich feathers designed by Mae Reeves. The fascinator has a form with rigid metal edges filled with black plastic mesh. The top exterior of the form is faced with black velvet. Small black feathers are attached on the exterior of the form. Very large black ostrich feathers are attached to a Styrofoam ball by the quills, with the ball glued to the velvet on the form at the center back so that the feathers drape forward and to the sides, but not to the back. A black net veil is attached to the form and covers the smaller feathers, extending half-way down the wearer's face. An ivory fabric designer label with black printed text is adhered to the center back interior of the form that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA".
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Sources & collection details
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗
Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13
Catalog reference: 2013.213.11.1
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