SMITHSONIAN
Navy Blue Synthetic Raffia Looped Crochet Cloche
1960s · 1960s · African American
Production
handmade
Material
synthetic raffia
Culture
African American
Movement
Space Age
Influences
1960s cloche revival · African textile traditions
A close-fitting cloche-style hat constructed entirely from densely crocheted loops of synthetic raffia in deep navy blue. The surface is completely covered with small, uniform loops that create a textured, almost fur-like appearance. The hat follows the rounded contours of the head with no visible brim, tapering slightly toward the crown. The looped construction technique creates dimensional texture while maintaining the hat's structured shape. The synthetic raffia material gives the piece a modern, space-age quality typical of 1960s experimental millinery, while the crocheting technique reflects traditional African American textile skills adapted to contemporary materials.
hattight fit
Connected To
Influences·African textile traditions
SHARED50 years · cross-culture · cross-category
These pieces reveal how African textile traditions travel and transform across generations and geographies. The 2010s dress's explosive golden hem—likely wax-print cotton with its characteristic bold geometric patterns—creates the same visual drama as the cloche's densely looped navy raffia, both using repetitive pattern-making to build texture and presence.
Echoes Across Time
2010s → 1960s · 50yr64%
SHARED
These pieces reveal how African textile traditions travel and transform across generations and geographies. The 2010s dress's explosive golden hem—likely wax-print cotton with its characteristic bold geometric patterns—creates the same visual drama as the cloche's densely looped navy raffia, both using repetitive pattern-making to build texture and presence.
Influences·African textile traditions
Victorian Late / Bustle → 1960s · 70yr42%
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