Irene of New York: A Legacy of Manhattan Millinery

Irene of New York (born Irene Stone) was a distinguished American milliner who significantly influenced mid-20th-century fashion from the 1940s through the 1960s. Operating her boutique on East 54th Street, she became a household name for sophisticated, high-end headwear sold at luxury retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Henri Bendel.

Unlike some of her contemporaries who focused on theatrical avant-garde styles, Irene and her design partner, H. Robert Greene, were celebrated for creating “wearable” elegance. Her signature designs often featured innovative materials like ciré-finished organza and intricate details such as floral garlands and tailored silk turbans.

Her hats are still highly collectible vintage pieces, often recognizable by the “Irene of New York” label, representing a golden era of Manhattan’s custom millinery. These vintage photos showcase the incredible artistry of Irene of New York, reminding us of a time when a hat was the ultimate signature of a woman’s style and grace.

Nina de Voogt in coat that wraps closely or hangs loosely of wheat wool tweed by Ben Zuckerman, black silk organdy sailor by Irene of New York, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, February 1, 1952

Evelyn Tripp in wonderful, peau-de-soie dancing dress with a long moulded torso, in a mixture of beige and brown by Ceil Chapman, small pink satin hat by Irene of New York, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, September 15, 1954

Evelyn Tripp in Alaska Sealskin polo coat with flap pockets and low half-belt by Fredrica, ermine toque by Irene of New York, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, November 1955

Mary Jane Russell in gently tailored taupe satin suit by Ben Barrack, fitch beret by Irene of New York, jewelry by Verdura, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, September 15, 1955

Model in Anglo wool suit with a 7/8 length topcoat by Ben Zuckerman, Karakul tambourine by Irene of New York, Kislav gloves, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Town & Country, September 1955

Pat Otis in short overcoat of black Persian lamb, cuffed, hip-pocketed and bow-tied in black taffeta by Revillon, curly white lamb hat by Irene of New York, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, November 1955

Anne St. Marie in the slenderest city-sheath of blue tweed and white piqué, side buttoned up, by Harvey Berin, hat by Irene of New York, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, February 15, 1956

Jessica Ford in a blue-and-black plaid coat in thick, brushed fleece, back-belted and double-breasted by Ben Zuckerman, black mink turban by Irene of New York, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, September 1956

Jessica Ford in tailored black Persian lamb coat with notched revers and big patch pocket by Ben Kahn, mink hat by Irene of New York, bag by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Louisa Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, November 1956

Lucinda Hollingsworth in black and white wool tweed cape-suit with black jersey sweater under its cape-jacket, by Traina-Norell, veiled mink beret by Irene of New York, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, September 1, 1956

Model in beautiful red coat of a rough tweedy wool with back fullness and big patch pockets by Monte Sano & Pruzan, sealskin turban by Irene of New York, muff by Maximilian, photo by Hal Rieff, Ladies' Home Journal, October 1956

Model in Forstmann's wool fleece coat by Adele Simpson, hat by Irene of New York, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, August 15, 1956

Ricki VanDusen in a black officer's coat in Forstmann's cashmere, back-belted, double-breasted and brass-buttoned by Max Milstein, black fox hat by Irene of New York, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, September 1956

Ricki VanDusen in a Directoire-belted coat in autumn-colored thick flecked tweed by Arthur Jablow, sable toque by Irene of New York, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, September 1956

Sunny Harnett in tailor-made dark brown flannel suit with a pretty flowered silk blouse by David Crystal, sable toque by Irene of New York, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar, September 1956

Evelyn Tripp in lightweight wool suit in oxford blue with tied bolero jacket by Adele Simpson, striped silk shantung turban by Irene of New York, jewelry by Seaman Schepps, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Ladies' Home Journal, February 1957

Model wearing a spring green organza turban by Irene of New York, silk print suit by Ben Reig, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies' Home Journal, February 1957

Model in brass-buttoned navy-blue jacket lined with red-and-white striped silk over a slim white dress in linen-like silk by Maurice Rentner, white piqué beret by Irene of New York, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar, January 1958

Evelyn Tripp in chrome-yellow scarf-collared coat of wicker-woven wool by Matlin, black and white turban by Irene of New York, handbag by Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, March 1, 1959

Isabella Albonico in pale blue wool and silk tweed suit with belted jacket by Monte Sano & Pruzan, white organdie hat by Irene of New York, jewelry by Cartier, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, February 1, 1959

Nena von Schlebrugge in polo coat sashed over a narrow dress in peacock blue silk brocade with golden threads by Adele Simpson, hat by Irene of New York, necklace by Brania, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, October 1959

Simone d'Aillencourt in fuschia tweed suit by Adele Simpson, fur hat by Irene of New York, pump by Dior, calfskin bag by Barra, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies' Home Journal, September 1959

Sunny Harnett in Spring suit of blue wool tweed with tabbed jacket and skirt with wide swingy pleats by Ben Gershel, white organdy turban by Irene of New York, jewelry by Cartier, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, February 1, 1959

Model in suit of mustard wool tweed flecked with black by Harry Frechtel, hat by Irene of New York, jewlery by Tiffany, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, January 1960

Pia Kazan wearing three-quarter coat in red, brown, black and taupe plaid by Jablow, accented by natural dark ranch mink hat by Irene of New York, photo by William Bell, Vogue, September 15, 1960

Simone d'Aillencourt in brown and black wool tweed coat lined in bands of dark brown natural Russian fitch by Fred Haar, brown velvet hat by Irene of New York, photo by Tom Palumbo, Vogue, August 15, 1960

Sondra Peterson in jacket of sheared Russian fur seal by Ritter Bros., worn over a brown plaid worsted jersey dress by Harry Frechtel, ribbed cloche by Irene of New York, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, March 15, 1960

Model in ruby and black cross-barred suit with stand-away collar and deep folded panel in the skirt of Orlon and wool by Monte Sano & Pruzan, hat by Irene of New York, Vogue, September 15, 1962

Simone d'Aillencourt in black, green, brown wool suit double-breasted fitted jacket over black silk overblouse and side-skirt panel, by Monte Sano & Pruzan, toque of black mousse by Irene of New York, photo by William Klein, Vogue, 1962

Benedetta Barzini in black and white wool tweed suit by Originala, yellow kidskin hat by Irene of New York, photo by Penn, Vogue, 1966

Wilhelmina in camel twill single-breasted coat that's shaped small at the top and flares full at the hem by Molly for Jack Sarnoff, leather fedora by Irene of New York, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, February 1, 1966

Editha Dussler in bold-print short wool coat in yellow, black, orange and red over matching dress with black jersey top by Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner, hat by Irene of New York, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, February 1, 1967