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Lilly Daché

Lilly Daché (October 10, 1898 – December, 1989) was a milliner and fashion designer.

She was born in Beigles, France, and began her fashion career there as a milliner, apprenticed under Caroline Reboux and Suzanne Talbot. She emigrated to New York, New York, USA, in 1924. On March 13, 1931, Daché married French-born Jean Despres. Their love-filled marriage and mutually successful supportive professional lives and collaboration endeared them to those around them.

Daché is reported to have said, "Glamour is what makes a man ask for your telephone number. But it also is what makes a woman ask for the name of your dressmaker." She was the most famous milliner in the United States during her time.

Her major contributions to milinery were draped turbans, brimmed hats molded to the head, half hats, visored caps for war workers, colored snoods, and romantic massed-flower shapes. By 1949, she was designing dresses to go with her hats, as well as lingerie, loungewear, gloves, hosiery, and a wired strapless bra. Both the designer Halston and the hair stylist Kenneth worked for her before going into business for themselves.

Daché's books include Lilly Daché's Glamour Book (published in 1956) and her autobiography, Talking through My Hats (published in 1946).

Lilly retired in 1968, and her New York millinery business was taken over by her daughter Suzanne Daché.

She died in Louveciennes, France.

Last updated: 05-16-2005 07:19:13