A Host of Hats

Mr Treasure and I popped to Cirencester at the weekend. Even though it poured with rain for most of the day, we were on a mission to find wallpaper and so we braved the elements! I always have to go for a mooch around New Brewery Arts and it just so happened that there's currently an exhibition of hats.

Gorgeous vintage inspired bits and bobs and works in progress from the latest Artist in Residence at the exhibition.

I hadn't realised that the neat embroidered monograms often found on linen were sewn using templates (the alphabet templates are in the box just by the photo).

Teacups made from hat fabric. I think they'd make great headpieces!

There were so many designs on show...the shapes, colours and textures of them all were fabulous.

It was very serendipitous that we stumbled across this exhibition as I'm currently working on a hat for my accessory project as part of my City and Guilds Embroidery course. I was so inspired by the work on display - it showed me that decoration and detailing can be both subtle and stylish.

I was really taken with Sally-Ann Provan's designs. They're so elegant...

Another of Sally-Ann Provan's hats. This one was my favourite of her designs - I'd love to wear it!

Sally-Ann's designs are so elegantly chic.

It was the fashion designer, Elsa Schiapparelli, who brought shocking pink to the world...and I for one am extremely glad she did. So bold and cheerful!

Sarah Cant's hats were amongst my favourites too. This is part of a wedding veil that she designed. I think it would look amazing going up the aisle!

If anyone's going to a wedding this year, this would the icing on any outfit!

A Sally-Ann Provan design. Her use of cameo motifs is so different and I think they're wonderful!

Sarah Cant's hats are beautifully sculpted and often feature delicate flower decorations.

I could have quite happily taken every hat from the exhibition home with me! I'm a huge fan of hats and wear them as often as I can. My trusty beret has seen me through the wintery months, but I can't wear it all summer long too...time for a new hat purchase perhaps?!

HEAD over HEELS

6th March - 25th April 2010

New Brewery Arts, Cirencester