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Basha Gold
Philip Treacy London Bespoke Black Straw Feather Bouquet Hat, 2001
Declared as “perhaps the greatest living milliner” by Vogue, Phillip Treacy was discovered by Isabella Blow and found success early on in his career designing hats for Chanel. The first milliner in 80 years invited to design for the haute couture shows in Paris, Treacy has also designed for Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, and the British royal family. He was awarded an OBE in 2007, and his designs have been displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Known for his glamorous, beautiful, and often ostentatious hats, Treacy has described his work as selling dreams to people. “We all need beautiful things that make us feel good and give us pleasure. Whether it’s a flower, a sunrise or a hat!” Working from his London studio, Treacy and his team construct and sew each hat by hand. “Every person is a hat person, said Treacy in an interview for the BBC. “They just have to find the right hat.”
A fine example of Treacy’s work, this circa 2001 sculptural black hat is constructed from finely woven straw. The unusual and magnificent spiraling crown of this hat adds a whimsical note that immediately draws the eye. The crown is wrapped in bands of stitched chartreuse satin and is adorned with a matching looped satin bow on one side.
Measurements:
Brim: 4 inches at front, 3 at back
Circumference: 22 inches
The hat culminates in a gorgeous bouquet of yellow, sage, and bright green feathers at the right side of the hat, which extend upwards while also cascading over the brim. The rich colors of the satin and feathers complement each other beautifully against the black straw, as do their contrasting textures.
The slanted and upward curve of the brim emphasizes the spiral of the crown, with the brim curving almost entirely upward at the back, further enhancing the drama of this breathtakingly beautiful hat.
This gorgeous bespoke Philip Treacy hat is in excellent condition. The interior of the crown is lined in navy silk and finished with a band of black silk. High-quality vintage pieces like this are yours to live in and love while increasing in value every year. It’s never too soon to start collecting them, as an investment in your wardrobe—and in yourself.