Hats off to Jones
Hatmaker Stephen Jones is the go to guy in the world of high fashion, music and film.
Jones' career in hatmaking extends to nearly three decades. He has designed hats for everyone from John Galliano, Marc Jacobs to Comme des Garcons. In 2008 alone, he whipped up more than 500 distinct styles of his exquisitely crafted daring designs. He is known for being a calm, gracious man with elegant humour during the hectic fashion week.
Jones received the 2008's Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards. Also in his honour and collaboration this year, February 2009, he has an exhibit in London England's Victoria & Albert Museum. The exhibit is named Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones and will showcase more than 300 pieces. In his exhibit will be pieces Jones has collected over the years from around the world and history told through headgear. Human civilization's fashion, dating back to a mask from back in 600BC from Egypt.
Jones' career happened in what he calls “a happy accident.” He was studying at Central Saint Martins college in London, England in a couture studio, when the hatmakers studio caught his eye. He explains what makes hat making still so appealing to him,
“It's so weird, so esoteric (special knowledge), such an escape from the blandness of modern life,” he explains.
At 52 Jones still hasn't lost his appetite for milliner and insists he does not feel like himself without a hat, and only feels complete with one. His favourite being the beret.
“It's the t-shirt of hats, for morning, noon, or night,” he said.
Jones has his own milliner salon in London, England. His shop provides an exclusive consultation service, working with the clients to create, size and co-ordinate their ultimate hat. Take note that prices range £100 - £1500, translation $400-$30,000 Canadian. So that means they are best worshipped from afar. His hats have topped the heads of Princess Diana, Madonna, Mick Jagger and Dita von Teese just to name a few.
My favourite quote of his confessing to his love for hats and his business as he puts it:
“I like to think that people regard my work as a treat, more akin to chocolates or perfume than just fashion. A hat should be a pal, because it's befriending your face.”
Jones' career in hatmaking extends to nearly three decades. He has designed hats for everyone from John Galliano, Marc Jacobs to Comme des Garcons. In 2008 alone, he whipped up more than 500 distinct styles of his exquisitely crafted daring designs. He is known for being a calm, gracious man with elegant humour during the hectic fashion week.
Jones received the 2008's Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards. Also in his honour and collaboration this year, February 2009, he has an exhibit in London England's Victoria & Albert Museum. The exhibit is named Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones and will showcase more than 300 pieces. In his exhibit will be pieces Jones has collected over the years from around the world and history told through headgear. Human civilization's fashion, dating back to a mask from back in 600BC from Egypt.
Jones' career happened in what he calls “a happy accident.” He was studying at Central Saint Martins college in London, England in a couture studio, when the hatmakers studio caught his eye. He explains what makes hat making still so appealing to him,
“It's so weird, so esoteric (special knowledge), such an escape from the blandness of modern life,” he explains.
At 52 Jones still hasn't lost his appetite for milliner and insists he does not feel like himself without a hat, and only feels complete with one. His favourite being the beret.
“It's the t-shirt of hats, for morning, noon, or night,” he said.
Jones has his own milliner salon in London, England. His shop provides an exclusive consultation service, working with the clients to create, size and co-ordinate their ultimate hat. Take note that prices range £100 - £1500, translation $400-$30,000 Canadian. So that means they are best worshipped from afar. His hats have topped the heads of Princess Diana, Madonna, Mick Jagger and Dita von Teese just to name a few.
My favourite quote of his confessing to his love for hats and his business as he puts it:
“I like to think that people regard my work as a treat, more akin to chocolates or perfume than just fashion. A hat should be a pal, because it's befriending your face.”
