The Store p234 Maison Archives Kitty K Clip: A Vintage Cat Hair Clip Worth Collecting

The code "Store p234 Maison Archives Kitty K Clip" isn't a brand name—it's a cataloguing system used by a London vintage stockist. The clip itself was made in the mid-1960s, probably in Birmingham or Hatton Garden, where many British costume jewellery workshops operated. Collectors use these codes to identify original cat-shaped hair clips. Here's how to spot one and wear it today.

The "Kitty K" name points to the clip's defining motif: a stylised cat's face, often with pointed ears, almond-shaped eyes, and a small nose rendered in metal or resin. The "p234" is a store inventory number, likely assigned by a now-closed London boutique that specialised in vintage accessories during the 1990s and early 2000s. Maison Archives is not a historical brand name but a contemporary archival project—a small curatorial business that documented and resold exceptional vintage hair pieces.

What Makes the Kitty K Clip Distinctive

The original Kitty K Clip measures approximately 4.5 centimetres in height and 3.2 centimetres in width. It features a spring-loaded metal clamp on the reverse, a mechanism that became popular in British hair accessories from the late 1950s onward. The front face is die-stamped from a single sheet of brass or silver-toned metal, then plated with either gold or rhodium. The eyes are typically set with two small round rhinestones—often clear crystal or pale amber—while the nose may be a tiny enamel dot in black or dark red.

What separates an original p234 piece from later reproductions is the quality of the stamping. Original clips show crisp, deep relief on the cat's whiskers and fur texture. The reverse bears a small impressed mark: either "MADE IN ENGLAND" or a tiny crown symbol alongside the number "234". Later copies, especially those produced in Asia after the 1990s, tend to have shallower detailing, lighter metal weight, and no provenance mark.

Materials and Construction Techniques

The Kitty K Clip belongs to a tradition of British die-cast jewellery that flourished between 1945 and 1975. Manufacturers used a technique called stamping and forming: a steel die was cut with the cat design, then a sheet of brass or nickel silver was pressed under high pressure to create the raised pattern. Excess metal was trimmed away, and the piece was filed by hand to smooth edges. Plating followed—either gold plate (often 9 or 14 carat) or a bright rhodium finish that mimicked silver without tarnishing.

Rhinestones were set using a prong-set or pavé method. In the Kitty K Clip, the eyes are usually held by four tiny metal claws that grip the stone's girdle. This technique requires skilled handwork: if the prongs are too tight, the stone may crack; too loose, and it falls out. An original clip will have prongs that are uniform in size and evenly spaced. The enamel on the nose is fired onto the metal—a vitreous enamel that resists chipping better than cold paint. You can test this by gently running a fingernail across the nose: genuine enamel feels smooth and glassy, while painted reproductions feel slightly tacky or uneven.

How to Identify an Authentic Store p234 Piece

When you find a Kitty K Clip at a flea market, vintage fair, or online auction, use these checks before purchasing:

• Weight: Original clips are heavier than they look. The brass base adds substance. A flimsy, lightweight clip is almost certainly a reproduction.
• Markings: Look on the reverse side of the clamp arm or the back of the cat face. Genuine pieces have a small impressed mark. If the mark is printed or painted, it is not original.
• Spring tension: The spring mechanism should open smoothly and grip firmly. Loose or rusty springs indicate wear, but a spring that is too stiff may have been replaced—check that the replacement matches the original shape.
• Patina: Gold-plated pieces develop a warm, even patina over decades. Rhodium-plated clips may show slight tarnish in the crevices. Uniform bright shine often suggests a recent re-plating, which diminishes collector value.
• Stone quality: Original rhinestones are machine-cut with sharp facets. Hold the clip under a bright light: genuine stones throw clear, rainbow sparkles. Plastic or glass substitutes appear dull or cloudy.

Styling the Kitty K Clip for Today

This clip works surprisingly well with modern wardrobes, provided you honour its scale and character. The cat motif is playful but not childish—the clean mid-century lines keep it sophisticated. Here are three ways to wear it:

1. Side Swept with a Low Bun

Gather your hair into a low, loose bun at the nape of the neck. Leave a few strands free to frame your face. Slide the Kitty K Clip into the hair just above the left or right ear, angled slightly downward. This placement echoes how women wore similar clips in the 1960s, and it keeps the cat face visible without competing with your features. Pair with a simple roll-neck sweater and trousers for a quiet nod to vintage style.

2. Accent on a Half-Up Style

For a half-up, half-down look, section the top half of your hair and twist it back, securing with a small elastic. Then clip the Kitty K at the twist point, letting the cat face sit front and centre. This works especially well with medium-length hair or layers. The clip adds a focal point to an otherwise simple style. If you are drawn to accessories with a darker, more mysterious character, you might also enjoy reading about The Blue Snake Beret: A Vintage Hair Accessory with a Serpentine Twist—another piece that uses animal motifs with understated elegance.

3. As a Jacket Lapel Pin (Alternative Use)

Because the spring clamp is strong, the Kitty K Clip can double as a lapel ornament. Pin it to the collar of a blazer or the pocket flap of a tweed jacket. This was a common practice in the 1960s, when women repurposed hair clips as brooches. It adds a touch of whimsy to structured pieces. For a coordinated vintage look, consider a blazer like The Tartan Wool Blazer: A Vintage Staple That Endures, whose classic pattern provides a neutral backdrop for the clip's metallic shine.

Care and Preservation

Vintage metal clips require gentle handling. Moisture is the primary enemy: it can lift plating, rust the spring, and cloud rhinestones. Store your Kitty K Clip in a dry, padded box—ideally one lined with felt or velvet. Avoid keeping it in a bathroom cabinet or near a window where condensation forms. If the clip becomes dusty, wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth. For deeper cleaning, dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (70% concentration) and dab only the metal parts, avoiding the stones and enamel. Never submerge the clip in water.

If the spring becomes stiff after years of disuse, apply a single drop of sewing machine oil to the hinge mechanism. Work the spring open and closed several times to distribute the oil, then wipe away any excess. This restores smooth movement without damaging the metal. For gold-plated pieces, occasional polishing with a jewellery cloth designed for plated metals can revive the shine—but do this sparingly, as excessive rubbing wears the plating away.

Where the Kitty K Clip Fits in British Hair Accessory History

The 1960s marked a shift in British hair accessories. Post-war austerity had given way to a playful, consumer-driven culture. Young women embraced smaller, more decorative clips that could be changed daily to match an outfit. Cat motifs were especially popular—they referenced the era's fascination with feline grace and the rising influence of French New Wave cinema, where actresses like Jeanne Moreau wore simple, geometric hair pieces. The Kitty K Clip embodies this spirit: affordable, well-made, and designed to bring a smile.

By the 1970s, larger, more sculptural hair accessories overtook small clips. Many original Kitty K pieces were stored away in dressing tables and forgotten. It was only in the late 1990s that vintage enthusiasts began rediscovering them. The Maison Archives project catalogued hundreds of such pieces, assigning store codes like p234 to track provenance. Today, these clips are sought after not only for their charm but as artefacts of a specific moment in British design—when costume jewellery was still largely handmade, and a cat face could be stamped from brass with the same care given to fine silver.

If you already own a velvet headband or a bow scrunchie from the same period, the Kitty K Clip can complement them without redundancy. The metallic finish and structured shape contrast nicely with soft fabric textures. For example, wearing the clip with The Quiet Allure of a Black Velvet Bow Scrunchie creates an interplay of matte and shine, rigid and soft—a thoughtful combination that feels intentional rather than costume.

The Kitty K Clip is a tiny sculpture that travelled from a Birmingham workshop to a London boutique to your hands. Clean it gently, wear it with intention, and you'll carry a piece of 1960s British design with you.