Haute couture hats are going from strength to strength this year, from the colourful creations seen atop royals and celebrities at the Royal Wedding, to the even more fantastical cascading feathered headpieces that were paraded down the catwalk at Valentino's SS18 show. Though they may not be suitable for every occasion, summer brings with it a host of glamorous events including Ascot and garden parties, where the more show-stopping the hat the better. Ensure you make a thoroughly British statement this season and stand out of the crowd with gravity-defying hats, floral fascinators and high-fashion headwear created by the best British Milliners including Philip Treacy, Victoria Grant and Piers Atkinson.
Hat Trick: Three of the best British milliners
Words by
Flora Drummond-Smith
12th June 2018
Strike the right fashion note this season by wearing a hat made by talented British milliners. From gravity-defying headpieces to floral fascinators their creations will ensure you make a style statement at this year's smartest events
PHILIP TREACY
Often spotted perched on the heads of high society women, celebrities and the royal family, Irish hat maker Philip Treacy’s designs are as popular with the wearer as they are with the photographers of the fashion world. Created from materials ranging from silk and lace to leather and Plexiglas, his imaginative designs enhance and flatter the wearer. From £990 for ready-to-wear pieces, philiptreacy.co.uk
VICTORIA GRANT
As a child Victoria Grant visited the Honourable Artillery Company, whose regal headgear sparked her passion for hats. Drawing on this, Grant’s quirky designs fuse British heritage with high fashion, resulting in timeless yet arresting statement pieces. From £700 for bespoke commissions, victoriagrant.com
PIERS ATKINSON
Created using couture skills such as leatherwork, embroidery, gold leafing and hand-beading, Piers Atkinson’s headwear is designed to make a fashion statement. From £250 for bespoke pieces, piersatkinson.com
