Gilbert Orcel: A Parisian Milliner of Mid-Century Elegance

Gilbert Orcel was a distinguished French milliner whose elegant and refined hat designs became a hallmark of mid-20th century Parisian fashion. Active from the 1940s through the 1960s, he was a celebrated figure in the world of haute couture, with his creations featured in leading fashion magazines such as Vogue and L’Officiel. Known for his impeccable craftsmanship and artistic flair, he designed hats that complemented the silhouettes and sophistication of the postwar fashion elite.

Orcel’s signature style included straw toques, veiled caps, and silk-trimmed pieces that reflected the grace and glamour of the era. His work was often photographed by iconic fashion photographers like Henry Clarke, and his hats were worn by top models and actresses, including Simone d’Aillencourt and Gene Tierney. These images helped cement his reputation as a master of millinery.

Gilbert Orcel remains a shining name in the golden age of French couture, remembered for transforming the simple hat into a statement of style, femininity, and luxury.

Model in pale pink straw hat covered in pearls by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Bettina Graziani wearing a small white satin cap decorated by pale pink rose and sheer black voilette covering the face and tied in the back, by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Saad, 1951

Carmen Dell' Orefice wearing a hat with a high, wavy shape in natural Milan straw, above the brim, navy-blue wings, under it is red velvet, by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Cecil Beaton, Vogue, February 15, 1951

Gigi Terwalgne in elegant two-piece ottoman adorned with roses by Worth, white straw hat with long sheer white veil by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Saad, 1951

Model in natural Baku straw hat adorned with striped organdy ribbon by Gilbert Orcel, 1951

Anne Campion in gray alpaca wool suit held by one small button at the collar by Grès, white hat with voilette by Gilbert Orcel, handbag by Prost, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Bettina Graziani wearing a hat designed by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Henry Clarke, 1952

Capucine in dress by Maggy Rouff, lynx boa by Mendel, hat by Gilbert Orcel, 1952

Lucky wearing small hat of black and natural straw with large mesh voilette by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Myrtle Crawford in draped taffeta dress that is rolled up in a style reminiscent of that of a washerwomen's apron, by Grès, hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Marie-Thérèse in canary yellow wool dress gathered at the bust and hips by Jean Dessès, beret by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Patricia Prunonosa in otter fur coat with high stand-up collar by Maggy Rouff, hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Saad, 1953

Patricia Prunonosa wearing a small hat of white organza embroidered with gold and a rose from the same fabric by Gilbert Orcel, white Jasmine EMBA mink stole by Max Reby, photo by Jacques Boucher, Vogue, Paris, November 1953

Capucine wearing a white Bengal plate illuminated with a red rose and a silk veil in a very elegant shape by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Dambier, Vogue, Paris, March 1954

Model wearing white satin hat with quilted piqué brim and velvet voilette by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Saad, 1954

Suzy Parker wearing a large inclined flat hat of black taffeta with polka dots, its drape stretched to the back gathers to forma small tuft by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, Paris, March 1954

Elinor in pinstriped flannel suit by Maggy Rouff, wide-brimmed hat by Gilbert Orcel, handbag by Dubost, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1955

Ghislaine Arsac in white Chinese organza toque decorated with pale pink rose and organza voilette by Gilbert Orcel, mink by Jacques Rober, jewelry by Renel, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1955

Model in red silk hat that is entirely pleated with two velvet legs that fix it to the head by Gilbert Orcel, dress by Maggy Rouff, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1955

Ann Farrar wearing a red felt hat, higher in the crown bound with black grosgrain ribbon wrapped with black polka-dot veiling by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Frances McLaughlin, Vogue, October 1, 1956

Ghislaine in beige and white speckled wool suit, jacket is short cropped with flap pockets worn with a natural shantung blouse by Maggy Rouff, hat by Gilbert Orcel, croc handbag by Ferest, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1956

Kouka Denis in hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Saad, 1956

Mink jacket in a very new style, without collar, embellished with buttons, only the bottom two close, by Marron Furs, cap by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Guy Arsac, 1956

Rachel Fitzgerald in lovely salmon pink suit, buttoned high with two pockets above the bustline, by Maggy Rouff, hat by Gilbert Orcel, handbag by Lucienne Offenthal, photo by Pottier, 1956

Barbara Cailleux in Shetland wool suit, long jacket is double-breasted, worn with matching fox-trimmed shawl, by Madeleine de Rauch, hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Saad, 1957

Joanna McCormick in open-coat ensemble of cocoa and white silk organdie, halter dress belted in suede by Madeleine de Rauch, straw hat by Gilbert Orcel, shoes by Perugia, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, March 15, 1957

Joanna McCormick in soft beige crêpe suit held by a wide crushed belt by Madeleine de Rauch, hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, March 1, 1957

Kouka Denis in turban hat of silk printed with roses and pink chiffon band wrapped around, by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Saad, 1957

Marina Nicolaidès in fitted gray flannel suit with white cuffs by Madeleine de Rauch, hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Saad, 1957

Model in banana yellow cloche with voilette by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Saad, 1957

Model in navy silk-mousseline dinner/cocktail dress edged in satin worn with sheer mousseline wrap, by Maggy Rouff, turban hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Saad, 1957

Simone d'Aillencourt in sheer chiffon houndstooth dress trimmed with bows at the shoulders and cinched with leather belt by Maggy Rouff, hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Ghislaine Arsac in striped tobacco and white organdy ensemble by Madeleine de Rauch, turban by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1958

Gunila in short mink jacket by Revillon, hat by Gilbert Orcel, handbag by Ferest, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1958

Model in navy straw cloche by Gilbert Orcel, dress by Jean Dessès, photo by Georges Saad, 1958

Model in tulle point d'esprit hat banded in satin by Gilbert Orcel, necklace by Francis Winter, photo by Georges Saad, 1958

Model in felt toque with black chenille voilette by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Georges Dambier, 1959