White, Striped Hat

Date1940-1950s

Credit LineGift of Maureen Wood, London, Ontario, 2015

Object number2015.007.001

Label TextConstance Larkin Knight Humphrys (1895-1975) made this hat. The same year she began making hats out of her home at 610 Princess Avenue, her husband Robert (1879-1938), a furrier, died. Their company “Humphry’s Hats” continued to operate into the early 1970s. Constance Humphrys created custom hats for the women of London for over 50 years. Her hat-making expertise, motherly personality, and ability to empower women through fashion earned her the reputation of “millinery legend” in London. In 1922, Constance Humphrys immigrated to London, Ontario, from England with her husband Robert and their two children. The family rented a house on the corner of Adelaide and Princess where they soon opened “Humphrys’ Hats.” Robert advertised and delivered hats, while Constance created personalized designs. When Robert died during the Great Depression, Constance kept the business running, providing for her family and continuing to supply London women with hats. She once said, "This is my love. I love my customers, I love my hats. I’ll go on till God takes my health away." And she did. Humphrys died in 1975.

NameHat