Historical information

Latiners was a Melbourne millinery company owned by Rupert Vincent Kirsch during the 1930s and 1940s. Originally located at 310 Flinders-lane, in 1934 the company shifted to 20 Dawson Street Brunswick. An article in the Melbourne Age newspaper recorded that the (illustrated) extensive factory was nearlng completion.(The Age, 10 July 1934). As well as producing hats in the factory, Latiners also imported hats into Australia. The Dawson Street factory is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Database as 'Of regional significance as one of the largest hat manufacturing businesses in Melbourne and architecturally important for its bold use of rendered forms.'

Significance

The Kew Historical Society’s fashion and design collection is comprised of costumes, hats, shoes and personal accessories. Many of these items were purchased or handmade in Victoria; some locally in Kew. The extensive hat collection comprises items dating from the 1860s to the 1970s. While most of the hats in the collection were created by milliners for women, there are a number of early and important men’s hats in the collection. The headwear collection is particularly significant in that it includes the work of notable Australian and international milliners.

Physical description

Deep purple coloured straw girls’ hat retailed by Latiners featuring a maroon ribbon at the base of the crown and a multicoloured fabric posy of flowers on the rim. The straw hat is irregularly layered to give the impression of folds.

Inscriptions & markings

Label: Latiners