Touring exhibition: Hats

An Anthology by Stephen Jones

Exhibition available to hire

This exhibition is a collaboration between the V&A and one of the fashion world’s foremost milliners, Stephen Jones. It presents an exploration of the world of millinery from the expert viewpoint of a hat designer and maker. The exhibition highlights the cultural, historic and decorative properties of the hat, displayed with the wit and whimsical style of Stephen Jones.

Featuring more than 250 hats from across the world, the display is based on four main themes - Inspiration, Creation, The Salon and The Client. Linking objects and bringing them to life in a thematic rather than a chronological way, it enables unusual juxtapositions of hats, ranging in style and period from the 16th century to the present day.

This exhibition gives an unprecedented view of the world of millinery, drawing on Stephen Jones's own archive and the V&A's extensive collection of hats alongside iconic headgear from around the world.

Size: approx 400m²
Available from 2011

For further information about hiring this exhibition please contact touringexhibitions@vam.ac.uk

Hat, maker unknown

Maker unknown, hat, twisted straw and silk, France, about 1937 © V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum

Hat, maker unknown

Maker unknown, hat, twisted straw and silk, France, about 1937 © V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum

Hat by PhilipTreacy

PhilipTreacy, hat, goose feather, London, 1995, given by the designer © V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum

‘Kiss of death’ bonnet, Jo Gordon

Jo Gordon, ‘Kiss of death’ bonnet, satin with pheasant feathers, England, 1996, given by the designer © V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum.

Hat by Stephen Jones

Stephen Jones, hat, velvet, London, 1983 © V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum

Silk hat by Eisa (Cristobal Balenciaga)

Eisa (Cristobal Balenciaga 1895-1972), silk hat, Spain, 1962 © V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum