Rue des Chapeaux de Paille

Did straw hats once line Rue des Chapeaux de Paille in Bry-sur-Marne? The name certainly sparks curiosity. Rue des Chapeaux de Paille translates to “Straw Hat Street”. This charming street holds a secret. It connects to a fascinating tale of a prominent hat maker. Let’s journey back to the early 20th century. Picture Eugène Mermilliod, a leading figure in the Parisian hat-making industry. His factory, though located on Rue des Vignoles, produced the fashionable straw hats that likely graced the heads of many strolling along Rue des Chapeaux de Paille. Mermilliod, initially partnered with Gaston Larousse, even patented an improvement to straw hat making techniques in 1896. Their partnership dissolved in 1901, giving rise to the Mermilliod straw and felt hat factory. Mermilliod’s influence extended beyond his factory walls. He presided over the trade union of women’s hat manufacturers for over two decades, starting in 1903. His journey took him to the St. Louis International Exposition in 1904, where he showcased French fashion and returned with a gold medal. This achievement led to his appointment as a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1906. While his factory wasn’t directly on Rue des Chapeaux de Paille, his creations undoubtedly found their way here. Perhaps fashionable Parisians, adorned in Mermilliod’s latest designs, frequented this very street. The street’s name, Rue des Chapeaux de Paille, might be a whimsical nod to the fashionable headwear of the time, possibly even to Mermilliod’s own creations. So, as you stroll along Rue des Chapeaux de Paille today, imagine the elegant ladies of the past, their heads crowned with the stylish straw hats crafted by Eugène Mermilliod, a true master of his craft. Their presence, though unseen, whispers tales of fashion and industry, woven into the very fabric of this charming street.