Six Century Tradition of Hatmaking

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Fascinating look at one of the last shops in Cairo, where Nasser Abd El-Baset has been making fez hats for over 40 years in a process that dates back more than six centuries.

This year in Great Britain, hat making was added to the list of endangered crafts. This reality called me to action- those of us who love hats need to support the industry in practical ways in order to preserve it. For me, this was joining in the formation of The British Millinery Association (and giving up my blogging anonymity!) and, last week, ordering my first bespoke hat.

What tangible things can we each do to save the craft  and tradition of hatmaking from falling into extinction?

Images from Getty as indicated  

Hat From the Past

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Royal Hats54 years to November 1967 and a visit to Malta that saw Queen Elizabeth in a fascinating hat. From side view, it doesn’t seem particularly noteworthy but but that changes once viewed from the front. It’s white cap… with a hat on top?

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Do any of you remember seeing this unique hat before?

Images from Getty as indicated

Princess Margriet Attends War Memorial

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On Friday, Princess Margriet was joined by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a memorial at the Canadian war cemetery in Bergen op Zoom.

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The Dutch princess repeated a black woven hat with domed crown and brim, upturned around the back. The monochrome design is trimmed with a wide black hatband and a layered double bow in the same textured straw as the hat body, placed at the back.

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Black hats for memorial events are a tricky thing to get right but the woven straw and tweaked shape of both the crown and brim on this design give it visual the interest we often see provided by a hat’s trim. The styling of the ensemble is great with wonderful monochrome contrast found between the patent leather boots, sleek lines of the suit, silky shine of the bow necktie and nubby weave of the hat.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: June 11, 2008; October 15, 2002 and likely others

What do you think about this hat?

Images from Getty as indicated  

This Week’s Extras

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On Monday, Princess Mako wore an ivory jacquard silk covered calot with folded brim and apricot silk trim for a farewell visit with her grandparents, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emeritus Michiko.

On Tuesday afternoon, Princess Beatrix opened the Prince Claus Bridge over the Dordrecht waterway in a dark blue sinamay brimmed hat.

On Friday, Queen Margrethe repeated her plaid trilby and matching suit at the “Children’s Nature and Science Festival 2021” in Hillerød.
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Light and whimsical headpiece of pleated crin cherries by Dutch milliner Josemieke Crebolder
Wonderful stitching in hues of pink and purple on this plum felt fedora by American milliner Conney Borda
Sparkling disco beret with black crin double bow by Australian milliner Wendy Scully
Reproduction coals scuttle bonnet in black moire taffeta by British costume milliner Jane Bedden
Beautiful draped, rolled and soaring brim on this yellow hat in vintage straw by Australian milliner Jill Humphries

The audience winner in the 2021Netherlands Hat Association competition by Dutch milliner Koos van de Wal.
Headpiece of the amazing handmade velvet pansies by British milliner Anne Tomlin
Punchy green patterned buntal cap with navy visor by New Zealand milliner Maree Tong
Woven saucer in vibrant metallic yarn by Australian milliner Belinda Osborne
Amazing texture on this black veiled halo headpiece by American milliner Laura Del Villaggio
Masterful mix of subtle autumnal hues and textures in this design by Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit

Kokoshnik headpiece of woven pearls by Irish milliner Carol Kenelly
Perfect pattern matching on this lime plaid felt cloche by Belgian brand Hats And More
Cream parasisal high-crowned hat with exquisite ombre brim by Australian milliner Stephanie Spencer
Indigo straw bandeau with tweed sea urchin-like flowers by Australian milliner Wendy Diggles
Such a smart black and white tweed cap by American brand Kokin New York
Striking headpiece of overlapping satin feathers by Italian milliner Francesco Ballestrazzi

After her marriage on Tuesday, Mako and her new husband Kei Komuro attended a press conference. The lack of wedding rites and celebration and the impromptu hug from Princess Kako as Mako left her parent’s home was hearbreaking (as we the release of an Akishino family photo taken over the summer). This article in the New York Times describes the situation well. I’m sure you all join me in wishing Mako and Kei happiness and peace as they start their marriage and Mako embarks on a new life.

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Images from social media as indicated 

Hat From the Past

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Royal Hats56 years back to October 28, 1965 when Princess Hanako wore a marvelous, textured pillbox for a visit to St. Thomas’s Hospital during a trip to London with Prince Hitachi

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Images from Getty as indicated