Rienzi, the MFAH house museum for European decorative arts, presents special exhibitions twice a year.

This exhibition explores the art of millinery in the mid-20th century. Hats Off: Halston Hats from the Masterson Collection highlights hats and hair accessories designed by influential American fashion designer Halston (1932–1990) for New York department store Bergdorf Goodman. Thirteen pieces in the Rienzi Collection, designed from 1958 to 1966, were ordered directly from Bergdorf Goodman’s custom salon by by Carroll Sterling Masterson, one of Rienzi’s founders.

Some of the hats are paired with their design drawings, discovered through archival research. The exhibition also features loans from the collection of Halston’s niece, Lesley Frowick, including original head forms and vintage Bergdorf Goodman hatboxes.

Hats Off: Halston Hats from the Masterson Collection | January 11, 2020–January 3, 2021