I’m back with more insider Hat news! It’s been a while since my last post as I have been busy with commissions and shooting my new collection (pictures from that to come!).
My correspondent on the London fashion week front line Lucy McCormack took these pictures of Noel Stewart’s collection. Noel takes inspiration from contemporary art and architectural structures. He creates statement pieces with flair and imagination that are real works of art. His C.V includes making the headdresses for the Kyle Minogue Showgirl tour and lecturing at the Royal College of Art.
As well as making his own collection Noel and his team some how found the time to make hats for the labels Erdem and Roksanda’s S/S 2012 collections.
For Erdem Noel made delicate lace boaters worn tilted towards the front of the head. They complemented lace dresses and floral trench coats worn by the models. Made from a thin frame with the lace pulled taught over it and sewn skillfully in place.
For Roksanda Noel made chunky knitted berets in an array of punchy colours.
My personal favorite is the pink. Although creating high impact on the catwalk these hats are totally wearable. I want one in every colour to go with my entire wardrobe.
Other trends cropping up for S/S 2012 are over sized, wide-brimmed hats, straw boaters, western style with a floppy brim, berets and hats with ears –just for fun!
To see more from Noel visit www.noelstewart.com
Headonism
Headonism was the main focus for hats this fashion week. It was a celebration of modern millinery curated by the infamous Stephen Jones.
Those taking part were J Smith Esq (AKA Justin Smith from my last post), Soren Bach, Little Shilpa, Noel Stewart and Piers Atkinson.
Selected head wear from the designers was wittily displayed on a rotating carousel made from giant hat boxes. Styles from all the designers were showcased together in an inspiring display of colour, form and texture. I advise you to watch the video to get the full effect:
http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/headonism
All the milliners pictured together.
Quotes from the Headonism Press release:
Curator Stephen Jones said “Headonism is London in a hatbox. The UK has always produced and trained the world’s most exciting milliners, and the capital is a city that thrives on youth and invention – it’s a perfect cocktail for exciting hat design and a constant source of inspiration both for me, and all those taking part. It has been a lot of fun to work on, and by supporting our young milliners we are creating a legacy for the future of the British hat industry.”
On receiving the sponsorship, participating milliner Piers Atkinson said, “This is a great opportunity for me and I’m incredibly grateful for the exposure, but more importantly, I feel that this event signifies a recognition that dressing up is coming back into fashion, and where millinery finally becomes more about having fun rather than the obligatory weddings and funerals.”
Piers Atkinson made witty neon light head dresses for the assistants at somerset house, which spelled out ‘London’ . I also saw his creations in the concessions area of Topshop on Oxford street. This just goes to show that cutting edge design can be accessible to the masses.
This exhibition really shows how millinery is coming back and in a big way! We saw it earlier in the year with the royal wedding and Stephen Jones has been flying the flag for British millinery with his V&A exhibition ‘Hats an Anthology’ which has gone on tour round the world. It’s a really exciting time to be a milliner and indeed a hat wearer!
