We were all left in awe when Lady Gaga stepped foot on the red carpet at the Venice International Film Festival. She slayed hard. But what stole the attention was the hat. Designed by Philip Treacy, the master milliner is one of the most renowned names in the hat design industry. The Irish milliner has captivated the fashion world with his awe-inspiring hats for over three decades.
From the runways of Paris to the red carpets of Hollywood, his creations have graced the heads of the most stylish celebrities and fashion icons, making them the centre of attention wherever they go. With his innovative designs, he has elevated the humble accessory to the realm of high art, creating pieces that are as much sculptures as they are fashion statements.
Let’s take a look at the most iconic hat designs by Treacy and the patrons who adorned them.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga, known for her bold fashion choices, has been a long-time fan of Treacy’s hats. She has donned his creations numerous times, from her concerts to red carpet appearances, always making a statement with her outrageous yet chic ensembles. One of her most memorable looks was the telephone-shaped headpiece with a removable handset hat, worn for her appearance on ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’ in 2010, which is now on permanent display at Madame Tussauds.
Another one includes a lighting bolt headpiece that the musician/actor wore for the 2010 Grammy Awards. Lady Gaga loves stealing the spotlight and Treacy’s hats help her do the same.
Isabella Blow
The late fashion editor Isabella Blow was the one who discovered Treacy and became one of his biggest muses. She wore and promoted his hats at many important fashion events that helped him break into some mainstream fashion houses like Chanel and Givenchy. Issy previously wore the hat that Lady Gaga wore at the Venice International Film Festival.
Blow’s love and support for Treacy’s art made him the renowned milliner he is today. For him she was his “biggest inspiration”. In 2002, the Design Museum in London hosted an exhibition of the thirty most iconic hats Treacy had designed for Blow, titled When Philip met Isabella, which went on a world tour for several years.
Royal Connections
Treacy’s hats have become a staple in royal fashion, particularly among members of the British royal family. His creations have adorned the heads of royals at various high-profile events, including weddings and public appearances. Notably, he designed over twenty hats worn at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, showcasing his ability to create pieces that resonate with royal elegance. Markle chose a chic Treacy hat for her first official royal engagement in December 2017, setting the tone for her future fashion choices within the royal family.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, is another royal who frequently opts for Treacy’s designs. She has worn his hats at significant events and for her public appearances. Kate often selects subtle and less dramatic hats that feature unique shapes and subtle colours that match her outfits perfectly, mirroring her sophisticated style.
In 2024, she made headlines by donning a striking black and white Treacy hat adorned with a large striped feather, a look that not only showcased her fashion prowess but also her loyalty to his artistry.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker, the style icon and star of ‘Sex and the City’’, has been a loyal supporter of Treacy’s art. She has worn his hats at multiple ‘Sex and the City’’ premieres and Met Galas, proving that she is a true hat enthusiast. She wore a tornado-esque, swirl hat in 2011 at a luncheon in Melbourne. We’re finding it difficult to describe the hat– it just left speechless. Her love for fascinators has inspired many to experiment with these whimsical headpieces, making them a staple in their wardrobes.
Rosamund Pike
At this year’s Golden Globes, actress Rosamund Pike stunned the red carpet with a Dior dress and a Treacy fascinator with a net veil that covered her entire face. The veiled hat perfectly complimented her outfit. When asked about the gorgeous hat addition to the outfit, Pike revealed that the hat was a wise suggestion and design by Treacy that was helping her conceal a small injury on her chin, which she got during a skiing accident. This unexpected twist added an element of mystery and intrigue to her look, making it one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
Valentino
Treacy’s collaboration with Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli has been a match made in fashion heaven. The designer and the milliner have collaborated multiple times for different collections. The most recent one was for the Valentino Fall/Winter 2023 collection, for which he created a series of feather hats that stole the spotlight, adding an ethereal touch to the already stunning garments. This collaboration showcased Treacy’s ability to elevate an entire collection with his unique and innovative designs.
Treacy’s hats have the power to transform an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary. His creations are not just accessories; they are works of art that challenge the perception of what a hat should be in the 21st century. With his unparalleled creativity and attention to detail, he continues to captivate the fashion world, proving that a hat can make all the difference in a look.
