Mildred Blount

Mildred Blount (1907-1974) was a true millinery master who has not always received the recognition that she deserves. Rising above racism, this exceptional African American hat designer was determined to make her own mark on the millinery world.

Early Acclaim

Mildred Blount (1907-1974) began her millinery career in New York City in the 1920s. Orphaned at the age of two, she had to work hard to provide for herself from a young age. She completed her high school diploma by taking evening classes while working as an errand girl at Madame Clair’s Dress & Hat Shop during the day. It was here that she first discovered her millinery talent.

It wasn’t long before others noticed Blount’s talent, too. “At 17 and without any formal training, Blount was commissioned to make headpieces for the bridesmaids at the New York City society wedding of the granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker, the first Black female self-made millionaire,” writes Jennifer Iacovelli for LACMA Unframed. “Nine thousand invitations were sent out for the wedding that was covered by the New York Times in 1923 in an article that mentioned ‘coronets of braided silver cloth, designed and made by Miss Mildred Blount.'”

Photograph from the 1923 wedding of Mae Walker Robinson and Dr. Henry Gordon Jackson

To further develop her skills, Blount went on to study at Cooper Union Art School in New York. She was able to earn a living by making hats for private clients and teaching millinery classes at the YWCA. Her big break, however, came when she was asked to create a collection of miniature hats to show at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Blount was a dedicated student of fashion history and her collection consisted of 87 tiny reproductions of hat styles dating from 1680 -1937.

Mildred Blount, Women’s Hats (Miniature), c. 1939, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Marjorie St. Cyr, photos © Museum Associates/LACMA – www.lacma.org

Working for John-Frederics

The miniature hats were extremely well received at the World’s Fair and this gave Blount the confidence to apply for a job at the famous John-Frederics millinery salon (which later became Mr John). According to an article in the April 1946 issue of Ebony magazine, “It took courage for her to ring the bell at John-Frederics in answer to their ad for a learner, for this was the royalty of America’s hatters. They were taken aback. No Negro had ever applied before. Yes, she assured them she had talent. All she asked was a chance. P.S. – She got the job.”

Mildred Blount worked for John-Frederics for 13 years, gaining a huge amount of experience and creating hats for the biggest stars and socialites of the day. By 1942, she was the Senior Hat Designer at their Beverly Hills salon. She also made hats for a number of high-profile films, including Gone With the Wind, under the label. Unfortunately, she received no credit for her work on the production.

Independent Label

Looking to make her own name in the millinery world, Blount resigned from John-Frederics. She was awarded a Rosenwald Fellowship in 1943, which included a grant of $1,800 for professional development. She went on to open her own Beverly Hills hat shop in 1945 and became widely known as the “milliner to the stars.” Notable clients included Gloria Vanderbilt, Marian Anderson, Marlene Dietrich, Ginger Rogers, Mary Pickford, Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell.

An independent and successful Black woman, Blount refused to work with anyone who did not treat her as an equal. As the above clipping from Ebony Magazine states, “An honored guest at many society weddings, Mildred Blount has always refused the mock humility of the back-door entrance.”

Making History

In 1955 Blount was inducted into the Motion Pictures Costumers’ Union, giving her the right to make costumes for Hollywood films under her own label. She was the first Black person, male or female, to be admitted.

Mildred Blount passed away in 1974. A number of her hats and headpieces have been preserved in the collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the California African American Museum (CAAM).