Hats : an anthology by Stephen Jones

Wonderful exhibition at the V&A curated by Stephen Jones, the milliner.

The exhibition is arranged in four main themes, inspiration looks at the sources including historicism, exoticism and the natural world; creation explores the techniques, materials and processes; the salon focuses on the buying and selling of hats and the millinery shop; and the clients which examines the wearing and etiquette of hats and features headgear worn by well known clients.

It was a wonderful mix of historical pieces along with current haute couture works mainly by Stephen Jones himself. One flat white, pink and blue feathered hat looked like something from the 1950s but turned out to be an 18th century piece.

A lovely touch was to have a bonnet belonging to Queen Victoria alongside one of Prince Albert’s top hats sharing a cabinet with more modern works based in these basic shapes.

I think my favorite was “Centre Court” by Stephen Jones. A green disc with white lines across the crown one of which has escaped and has a small ball on the end.

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