Hat Beatrice Brandini 

Poster of the exhition

In one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, Palazzo Pitti, until May 18, there is a magnificent monographic exhibition that its subject is the hat: “Hat between Art and extravagance.”

Some hats on display 

    

                           Toque, 1959-55                                              Giovanni Salvadori, 1920

    

                              Chanel, 2010                                                                   Toque, 1957

The hat becomes the protagonist, no longer just an accessory, but a small work of art .., thanks to the creativity of prestigious brands such as Dior, Givenchy, Saint Laurent, Prada, etc,. but especially Italian or Florentine craftsmanship of skilled workers, such as those that are part of the Consortium “Il Cappello di Firenze”, the heirs of the ancient craftsmanship of the “Straw Hat” in Florence.

    

                        M.Glasaur, 1890                                            Caroline Reboux, 1942-43

Is from 1700 which Signa, near Florence, it becomes the hub of industrial activity in the straw hat, thanks to a new way of cultivating wheat, which provides a dense planting and the anticipation of the collection. From this breakthrough was achieved the straw braid thinner, flexible and shiny that led to what became the consecration, as well as in key global notoriety, the so-called “straw hat of Florence.” Since then many years have passed, Tuscan companies have gone through various stages, but the most important thing that some of them are still in business, they have been able to reinvent themselves and meet the new and increasingly fickle and rigid demands of the market, creating the consortium “the Florence Hat “. However, the most important thing they have done is that they have been able to create an artifact that once again has meant, and still means, an excellence of Made in Italy.

    

                  Clemente Cartoni, 1955                                     Yves Saint Laurent, 2002

    

Both hats by Clemente Cartoni, 1965 ca

I think most of the other accessories, the hat is really an important complement, a way to determine their own personality and their own style. I remember when we had to Polimoda do a course on hats, making us realize some prototypes, it was a wonderful experience. Many years have passed, but the passion for hats would not let me.

I miss the beginning of the last century, up to almost half of the same, in which the hat, as is often the gloves, were part of the daily wardrobe, a sign of elegance that made women, magical, mysterious, fascinating .

    

Felt heat Beatrice Brandini

     

Felt heat Beatrice Brandini

The hat is the accessory that reveals more than anything else our identity (I think the fire brigade, naval officers, firefighters, nuns, bishops or the Pope, all with something in the head that “tells them” without words). And the accessory that serves to “hide” when you do not want to be “revealed” (I think of the caps fell in the faces of the stars in search of privacy); is the complement when looking for drama, whether it be a play (the fairy, the witch the attacker, would be the same without their hat?), a picture (of the many I like to mention the shot by Irving Penn for the cover of Vogue), etc.

Photo by Irving Penn, Vogue 1950

Crochet hat Beatrice Brandini

Some strong personality can not be separated from their hats, I think the Queen of England would not be the same without her improbable hats, as well as the mourned Anna Piaggi .

Some proposals Beatrice Brandini

Therefore the beloved hat should, like bags and shoes, to be a friend of our everyday elegance and beauty.

Good life to all!

Beatrice