As I travel about speaking to audiences about the history of millinery, I am frequently asked my opinion on the hats which caused such a stir at the royal wedding; primarily those worn by the Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Less of a fuss was made over the blue wonder which perfectly matched Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's dress, yet all three were of the same aesthetic.
Fashion followers have seen verticality in hats before, so what prompted all of the giggles, insults, and—let's face it—outrage over what a handful of women chose to wear on their heads? Whether style gazers are aware of it nor not, renowned millinery designer Philip Treacy
has done the near impossible; he has created an exciting millinery innovation not seen
in centuries of hat design.
For royal wedding watchers, Victoria Beckham’s front-and-centre pillbox was the first of these shocking chapeaux to
appear. Gasps were heard at the viewing party over which I presided, when
cameras captured Beck’s image. Many in attendance expressed their disapproval.
But did you see her head on profile? What better style to set off that long,
sleek, pony tale!
And why do you suppose the media continue
to discuss Beatrice and Eugenie's brazen brow titivations? Say what you will, they were unforgettable.
Some hat styles,
like the turban, the picture hat, and the pill box, are classics that reappear
with slight alterations, while others are of a time only, but rarely is there a
true innovation in hat design. Dior’s dish style to complement his 1947 New Look collection is such a one. So is
the top hat. The sight of this topper when first seen on the streets of London
Despite what some reporters would have us
believe, fascinators are not new—although the courage to wear them may be. So hat’s off to the genius of Philip Treacy
and to the fashion forward celebs and princesses who dare to be different.
To the rest of you, what can I say, but
where is Isabella Blow when we need her? The Washington Post got it right. The hats were rediculously fabulous.
