Born in Czechoslovakia and brought to the United States as an infant, Michael Chanda (1920–2004), known simply by his mononym, Chanda, was a master milliner whose career was defined by youthful elegance and a keen understanding of the modern woman.
After honing his craft for three years at the prestigious salon of Hattie Carnegie and gaining experience with New York theatrical designers, Chanda launched his own business in 1944. He carved out a unique niche in the market by specializing in small, understated hats, recognizing that petite frames and comfort were often overlooked in mainstream fashion.
Chanda’s signature style transcended generational boundaries, his “trademark” youthful hats were designed to be worn by women aged 20 to 70 alike. He believed that a small, sophisticated headpiece did more than just fit well, it possessed a transformative power, making the wearer look both younger and effortlessly “right.” His legacy remains a testament to the idea that true style is not about age, but about the timeless grace of well-proportioned design.
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| Betty Threatt wearing a hat made up of gold surplus Navy braid by Chanda, silver faille dress by Charles James, Kislav gloves, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, November 1946 |
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| Inga Lindgren in beautifully cut gray flannel dress, gold threads lining the neck and sleeves by Jo Copeland, small gold braid hat by Chanda, jewelry by Verdura, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, October 1946 |
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| Bambi Lynn, star of "Alice in Wonderland", in hat by Chanda, photo by Serge Balkin, Glamour, 1947 |
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| Dorian Leigh in a wrap coat sweeping from a lavish fox collar to a narrow swathed look at the hem by Carolyn, hat by Chanda, Vogue, October 1, 1947 |
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| Dorian Leigh in satin with crêpe dress ftrom Carolyn, hat by Chanda, Harper's Bazaar, July 1, 1947 |
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| Dorian Leigh in suave, after-five, floral print, sequined and side draped dress by Mil-Jay for Carolyn Modes, hat by Chanda, Harper's Bazaar, November 1947 |
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| Dorian Leigh in suit of Pacific Verdona crêpe with gilt buttons by Rubin-Feld for Carolyn Modes, hat by Chanda, Harper's Bazaar, November 1947 |
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| Dress by Adele Simpson, headdress by Chanda, photo by Serge Balkin, Vogue Studios, Harper's Bazaar, December 1947 |
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| Inga Lindgren in Miron's hairline worsted suit, a Weiner Original, hat by Chanda, Harper's Bazaar, February 1947 |
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| Marilyn Ambrose in Forstmann's wool crêpe three-piece suit by Maurice Rentner, hat by Chanda, Vogue, February 1, 1947 |
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| Model and Betty Threatt (r) in Silverblu mink coat and jacket by Maximilian, jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, hats by Chanda, Harper's Bazaar, January 1947 |
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| Model wearing Shadow Tones nylons by Mary Grey, suit is by Monte Santo, hat by Chanda, Vogue, August 1, 1947 |
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| Carolyn Cross in Suskana's 100% virgin wool gray broadcloth suit designed by M & S Solomon, hat by Chanda, Harper's Bazaar, February 1948 |
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| Dorian Leigh in stand-away silhouette suit of taffeta on rayon crêpe by Carolyn, half-veiled hat by Chanda, Harper's Bazaar, January 1948 |
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| Carmen Dell' Orefice in dotted wool suit by Jane Derby, mink scarf by Fredrica, hat by Chanda, gloves by Aris, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Vogue, 1949 |
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| Cherry Nelms (l) in taupe Alpaca fleece jacket, Evelyn Tripp in orange fleece suit, both by Sportwhirl, sealskin suitcase by Mark Cross, hats by Chanda, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, September 1, 1949 |
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| Dovima in brown and black wool tweed suit with a short jacket, a quick peplum and a single box pleat in back of skirt by Varden Petites, hat by Chanda, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, September 1, 1949 |
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| Lisa Fonssagrives in charming afternoon dress of checked silk taffeta by Joseph Halpert, white felt cloche by Chanda, photo by Frances McLaughlin, Vogue, February 1, 1949 |
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| Ricki VanDusen in gabardine suit by Bellciano and hat by Chanda for Famous-Barr Co., Harper's Bazaar, February 1949 |
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| Wenda Parkinson in navy blue belted topcoat lined in gray kidskin by Philip Mangone, veiled hat by Chanda, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, September 1, 1949 |
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| Cherry Nelms in a Printzess suit fashioned by Printz, hat by Chanda, bag by Roger Van S, Harper's Bazaar, February 1950 |
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| Model in blue and white pin-checked wool suit, a straight wrap-around skirt with overblouse belted jacket, by J.L.F. Originals, hat by Chanda, photo by Lillian Bassman, Junior Bazaar, January 1950 |
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| Mary Jane Russell in Worumbo gray flannel suit by Ben Zuckerman, hat by Chanda, brooch by Schlumberger, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Vogue, February 1, 1951 |
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| Sandy Brown in fitted coat with wide skirt and velvet collar in black rayon and cotton by Oppenheimer Franken, straw hat by Chanda, photo by Evelyn Hofer, Junior Bazaar, March 1951 |
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| Ivy Nicholson in black wool dress with a coat-weight jacket in textured wool and weasel hair by Paul Parnes at Milgrim, velours and jersey turban by Chanda, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, September 15, 1952 |
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| Cherry Nelms in fitted suit with narrow molded lines by Handmacher, chiffon scarf by Echo, Toyo toque by Chanda, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, April 1, 1953 |
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| Model wearing a black velvet jeweled cocktail hat by Chanda that stays put with new "feathercomb" gadget, photo by Nina Leen, 1953 |
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| Suzy Parker in a wonderful dress of Italian silk print with a close bodice and yards-wide skirt by Harvey Berin, Baku hat by Chanda, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, March 15, 1953 |
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| Mary Jane Russell wearing a hat of wheat-colored rough straw banded in red by Chanda, black, brown and white silk tweed suit by Marquise, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, January 1956 |
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| Lucinda Hollingsworth wearing a black straw curving sidelong toque with a jewel and a veil by Chanda, photo by Richard Rutledge, Vogue, February 15, 1957 |
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| Isabella Albonico in black, lacy knitted wool dress with deep v-neck by Monte-Sano & Pruzan, faux pearl and jet bead chokers by Judith McCann, feathery velvet Breton by Chanda, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, November 15, 1959 |
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| Mary Jane Russell wearing a small scale boater of Venetian straw bound in red grosgrain with silk mesh veil by Chanda, photo by Louis Faurer, Harper's Bazaar, March 1959 |
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| Betsy von Furstenberg (l) and Sara Thom (r) wearing hats by Chanda, gossiping with a man, photo by Richard Rutledge, 1959 |
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