The Malena Dul C24: A Vintage Hair Clip Worth the Hunt

On a drizzly Saturday morning in a Portobello Road arcade, a single hair clip sat tucked inside a cardboard box labelled “C24 – assorted.” The dealer barely looked up. But the clip itself—a small, sculptural barrette stamped with the name “Malena Dul”—told a different story. Its curved back was carved from a single piece of celluloid, the colour of dark honey, and the clasp mechanism clicked with the precise, satisfying resistance of mid-century engineering. That chance find is why we’re talking about the Malena Dul C24 today.

Who Was Malena Dul?

Malena Dul was a small London-based millinery and accessory workshop active between 1949 and the early 1960s. Founded by two sisters, Helena Dulac and Mary Naylor, the label specialised in hand-finished hair ornaments that blended traditional millinery techniques with the new synthetic materials of the post-war era. The “C24” designation was their internal catalogue code for a series of sculptural barrettes—each piece individually numbered, though few records survive. The workshop operated from a single room above a hat shop on Brewer Street, and its output was never large. Today, fewer than a dozen confirmed Malena Dul pieces are known to exist in collections, so the C24 is genuinely rare.

Design and Materials

The C24 barrette measures roughly 6 cm by 2.5 cm, with a gently arched profile that follows the curve of the skull. The celluloid body is carved by hand—not moulded—which gives each piece subtle variations in thickness and light refraction. The colour is a warm tortoiseshell-amber, achieved by layering two tones of celluloid before carving. The metal clasp is a German silver alloy, stamped with a tiny “MD” mark on the underside. Unlike many mass-produced clips of the era, the C24’s spring mechanism is enclosed within the barrette itself, protecting hair from snags. This attention to detail is characteristic of Dul’s work: it’s functional elegance that rewards close inspection.

How to Spot an Authentic Malena Dul C24

• Check the stamp. Genuine pieces have a clear “MD” in a serif font, usually on the metal hinge or the back of the celluloid.
• Examine the carving. The surface should show fine, parallel tool marks from the hand-carving process. Moulded replicas are perfectly smooth and lack this texture.
• Test the weight. Celluloid is lighter than modern acetate. A genuine C24 feels almost weightless in the hand, yet the clasp holds firmly.
• Look for patina. Over seventy years, celluloid develops a subtle golden glow. If the clip is too bright or too uniform in colour, it may be a later reproduction.

Styling the Malena Dul C24 Today

The C24’s compact size and neutral colour make it remarkably versatile. Pin it at the temple to hold back a side-swept section, or use it to secure the crown of a low chignon. It pairs especially well with the soft, unstructured waves that define the modern British vintage aesthetic. For a sharper contrast, wear it with a crisp white shirt and a navy wool blazer—the warm amber breaks up the severity of tailored lines. If you own a mother of pearl scallop hair claw, the two pieces can be layered: the claw holds the main volume, while the C24 adds a discreet accent near the ear.

Caring for a Celluloid Treasure

Celluloid is a sensitive material. It can yellow if exposed to prolonged sunlight, and it is flammable—keep it away from open flames and hairdryers on high heat. To clean a Malena Dul C24, use a soft, dry cloth; never soak it or apply alcohol. If the clasp becomes stiff, a single drop of sewing machine oil on the hinge (applied with a toothpick) usually restores smooth movement. Store the clip in a padded box, separate from metal jewellery that could scratch the surface. Treat it well, and this piece will outlast us all.

Where to Begin Your Search

Because the Malena Dul workshop was small and its records sparse, the C24 does not appear in standard vintage price guides. Your best bet is to comb through estate sales in London and the Home Counties, particularly those from families with connections to the fashion trades. Online auctions occasionally list unmarked celluloid barrettes—look for the tell-tale “MD” stamp. Dealers who specialise in mid-century British accessories may also recognise the name. Patience is key. The C24 is not a piece you find; it is a piece that finds you, usually when you least expect it.