THE CAT'S MEOW!...

Rare, collectible 1960s HATTIE CARNEGIE golden leopard pin. This dimensional cat features black enamel forehead spots and flowers with clear rhinestone accents to the flower centers and collar and emerald green bullet-shaped cabochon eyes. Gold-plated base metal.

Measures 2 3/8" by 1 1/4".

Signed HATTIE CARNEGIE.

Very good to excellent vintage condition.

Book reference here can be found on page 140 of Georgiana McCall's 'Hattie Carnegie Jewelry, Her Life and Legacy'.

Hattie Carnegie 1939-1979
Austrian, Henrietta Kanengeiser, changed her name to Hattie Carnegie in her 20's. Hattie began her career as a milliner, opening her first shop 'Carnegie-Ladies Hatter', in New York in 1909. Carnegie became a hugely successful fashion and jewelry designer; she launched her jewelry line in 1939. In 1942, 'Life Magazine' made Hattie Designer of the Year. The stars of the day such as Tallulah Bankhead, Norma Shearer, and Joan Crawford all adored her fashion and jewelry designs. In 1952, Hattie was awarded The Congressional Medal of Freedom, for her WAC (Women's Army Corps) uniform design. Notably, Kenneth Jay Lane designed for Carnegie before leaving to launch his own brand in the 1960's. Hattie died in 1956 but the company carried on and was purchased by the Chromology American Corporation in 1976 and continued until 1979.