The History of Hats

Explore the most exciting hats and headwear from across the world and history. Curator Yona Lesger draws on her research and work with the unparalleled collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Culture Trust to highlight how hats have defined status, beauty and performance since 1,500 BCE. With references to fashion and film history, plus examples from ancient scented headgear to 20th century symbols of status and style, from firemen's helmets and Spanish lace mantillas to character-defining hats worn by celebrities. 

Yona Lesger is a curator and writer based in Edinburgh. A graduate of the award-winning Performance Costume course at Edinburgh College of Art and fashion history at the Courtauld Institute of Art, she has worked in fashion and performance at the Victoria & Albert Museum and curated the Hats Made Me Exhibition for the Culture Trust.

The talk will be followed by a book signing to mark the launch of Hats!: Style and Statement in Global Headwear (Laurence King Publishing, with a foreword by the celebrated milliner Stephen Jones).

Tickets £15 (includes entry to Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop)

Every ticket sold supports the work of The Dovecot Foundation to advance visual art, craft and design in all its forms.

Please note that tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and may not be exchanged unless due to extenuating circumstances. 

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