Simone Mirman: The Milliner of Modern Elegance

Simone Mirman (1912–2008) was a celebrated Paris-born milliner who defined hat design in mid-20th century London. Active through the eras of post-war austerity and the Swinging Sixties, she was a master of impeccable craftsmanship and chic modernity.

Mirman’s career reached its zenith when she became a favored designer for the British Royal Family, notably Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, crafting hats that balanced traditional regal formality with sharp, contemporary lines.

Her work, which blended the boldness she learned working with Elsa Schiaparelli with her own elegant sensibility, ensured that the hat remained a powerful symbol of sophistication during a rapidly changing time in fashion history.

Myrtle Crawford wearing a mushroom-shaped hat of navy straw, the underside lined in white voile and white ribbon round the crown by Simone Mirman, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, July 1950

Myrtle Crawford wearing a little cloche of navy-blue straw with an upturned brim faced in white by Simone Mirman, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, July 1950

Anne Gunning in cinnamon line dress with scalloped collar echoed with white marcella and wrapped rounded overskirt by Mattli, burnt straw hat by Simone Mirman, jewelry by Asprey, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1951

Anne Gunning in classic black barathea suit by Ronald Paterson, wide-brimmed hat in oyster felt by Dior at Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, November 1951

June Duncan in toast-colored silk shantung suit, double box pleats streak down the back of the jacket and skirt, by Lachasse, velvet banded straw hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1951

Shelagh Wilson in 3/4 coat of knobbly bronze and black tweed pulled in at the waist in brass-studded leather belt by Mattli, fur felt hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1951

Shelagh Wilson in three-piece suit in gray corded wool, the jacket has stand-up revers by McGeachin, hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, November 1951

Anne Gunning in rainproof coat in salt-white grosgrain by John Cavanagh, hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1952

June Duncan in gray flannel dress tucked with a black cummerbund and glazed with white piqué at collar and cuffs by Silhouette de Luxe after Fath, hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Maurice Tabard, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1952

Pat Martin in dress by Dorville and hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Norman Parkinson for Vogue, 1952

Shelagh Wilson in a stiff navy blue wool slub swinging coatdress by Hardy Amies, hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1952

Shelagh Wilson in lovely black-and-white, shadow-checked organza dress, molding the waist with full skirt and caped collar by Norman Hartnell, hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1952

Shelagh Wilson in short evening coat in black faille cut square in front and dipping behind, deep cuffs and wide collar bound with braid and velvet by Ronald Paterson, hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1952

Wenda Parkinson in a classic suit in clerical grey by Dorville, flannel hat by Simone Mirman, beaver muff by National Fur Co., Vogue 1952

Shelagh Wilson in cocoa brown wool suit with soft velvet collar and cuffs by John Cavanagh, velours hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1953

Anne Gunning in Scottish tweed suit in oatmeal and brown chevron pattern by Christian Dior Models-London, hat by Simone Mirman, Finnegan's bag, photo by Richard Dormer at Lingfield Racecourse, Harper's Bazaar UK, December 1954

Susan Abraham in black wool duvetyne coat with shawl-like ocelot collar by Berg, beret by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, December 1954

Susan Abraham in warm red tweed suit and a short top-coat by Matita, bag by Finnigan, hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer at Lingfield Racecourse, Harper's Bazaar UK, December 1954

Anne Gunning is wearing a gleaming pale gold lamé turban with a pearl and gold jewel shining on the crown by Simone Mirman, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, December 1955

Mollie Vernier wearing China-blue flowered hat by Simone Mirman, pearl antelope gloves by Holman & Byfield, pewter lizard-skin bag from Finnegans, photo Eugene Vernier, Vogue UK, April 15, 1955

Jennifer Hocking in black and white Linton herringbone suit, with straight jacket over slim dress, the slotted scarf is leaf-green satin, by Charles Creed, hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1956

Pat O'Reilly in slim worsted suit, the jacket clings to the hips but loose over the neck and waist by John Cavanagh, circle of crushed tulle by Simone Mirman, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1956

Simone d'Aillencourt in long-jacketed suit in brown and black smooth tweed by Simon Massey, hat by Simone Mirman, mink coat from Albert Hart, photo by Richard Dormer "Boarding the Night Ferry", Harper's Bazaar UK, January 1956

Brenda Harper in sailor-top jumper suit in palest honey serge by Susan Small, pale straw sou'wester by Simone Mirman, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1957

Hat with mushrooms and toadstools by milliner Simone Mirman, January 24, 1957

Pat O'Reilly in navy-blue belted jacket over a white modesty front to the deep-necked dress by Dorville, white organdy tucked topee by Simone Mirman, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1957

Susan Abraham in champagne-colored coat in linen hopsack, the coat jutting back, collarless under the ringed cowl collar of the suit beneath by Harry popper, red sou'wester by Simone Mirman, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, June 1957

Enid Boulting in loosely woven mushroom-and-black tweed suit fringed out over the pockets by Kestel & Davey for Jacqmar, beige two-tiered toque by Simone Mirman, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1959

Jennifer Hocking in fir-green worsted suit with stem skirt and longer jacket by Spectator, hat by Simone Mirman, handbag by Jane Shilton, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, December 1959

Jennifer Hocking in ready-to-wear suit in tan bouclé wool and mohair under its own 3/4 length coat in black-and-tan check wool mohair by Norman Hartnell, straw hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Tom kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1959

Jenny Hocking in a suit by Christian Dior and hat by Simone Mirman, photo by Norman Parkinson for Vogue, 1959

Model in straight-cut gray and black worsted suit with elongated jacket and plushy seal collar by Koupy, sealskin hat by Simone Mirman, handbag by Jane Shilton, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, December 1959

Ros Watkins in a suit by Frederick Starke, hat by Simone Mirman and bag by S.E. Norris, photo by Norman Parkinson for Vogue, 1959