| Description | Collection of hats, including four hats designed by Philip Treacy for the Hartnell Spring Summer Show 1991, includes a video and cuttings book relating to show. Also one hat designed by Dai Rees and 36 hats designed by Hilary Parsons including for Panama (1940s), Kangol (1950s), Herbert Johnson (1973), Bermona Trend (1984), C&A (1955), Webflex (1930s), Panda (1960s), Velonap (1950s), Marks and Spencers (1968), Jacoll (1960s) and Marida (1970s).
The collection also includes a number of wooden hat blocks previously used for teaching at LCF's Lime Grove campus (acquired 2023). |
| Individual or organisational biography | The main body of the collection is hats designed by Philip Treacy in 1990. Philip Treacy, OBE (born Ahascragh, Ireland, May 26, 1967) is one of the world's foremost milliners. After graduating from the Royal College of Art he was invited to work with Marc Bohan on the Spring/Summer 1991 Norman Hartnell show to create four hats now in this collection.
Treacy has designed hats for other high profile clothes designers including Alexander McQueen's white 'Haute Couture' collection at Givenchy and Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel. In 2005 he designed the hats for the wedding of the Prince of Wales to the Duchess of Cornwall. 2005 also saw the culmination of his work as Design Director for The G Hotel, Galway. On 16 February 2006, the collaborative collection Philip Treacy for Umbro was launched at The Royal Horticultural Hall during London Fashion Week. Treacy has been awarded the title of British Accessory Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards on five occasions.
Other designers work represented in the collection includes Dai Rees. Dai Rees started as a milliner, creating fabulous headdresses and hats. He later expanded to womenswear. Rees is considered to be highly creative and individual, crafting well made quality clothes and items. |
| Custodial History | Philip Treacy hats from Hartnell Spring Show 1991 donated by Manny Silverman, Executive Chairman of Norman Hartnell in 2006. Dai Rees hat presented to Sandra Holtby and donated by her to the archive in 2006. Hilary Parsons hats donated Oct 2006, from items worn by her mother, herself and her two sisters. |