Black twisted straw hat, British, designed by Philip Treacy , 1990

Black twisted straw hat with net veiling and silk rose

Gift of Madeleine Ginsburg

Philip Treacy was born in Co. Galway, Ireland and studied fashion design at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin before going on to study for a Masters degree in millinery at the Royal College of Art (RCA), London. Whilst still a student at the RCA Treacy's work achieved much acclaim and he was already creating headwear for the collections of noted British designers such as Rifat Ozbek. His work was picked up by fashion editor Isabella Blow and, on graduating, Blow gave over the basement of her house to him where he set up his own business. His hats stood out for their innovative and recognisable designs and with Blow championing him, his work swiftly became internationally renowned. In the 1990s he was awarded British Accessory Designer of the year five times. Alongside his own work he created hats for international designers such as Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Alexander McQueen. His clients range from members of the Royal family to well known performers such as Grace Jones. In 2007 he was awarded an OBE for services to the British Fashion Industry.

Philip Treacy describes his style as ‘modern millinery with a British influence, aimed at an international clientele’. A graduate of the Royal College of Art’s millinery course (founded in 1988), he began his career as one of a new generation of innovative, art school trained designers who, during the 1980s, revitalised the British hatmaking industry by reworking traditional hat shapes and materials. Treacy designs occasion and daywear hats for established fashion houses, such as Chanel, as well as for his own couture and diffusion ranges. His most flamboyant creations are popular with women attending ‘Ladies’ Day’ at Royal Ascot, the world's most famous race meeting, where extravagant millinery is as much a part of the occasion as the horseracing.
This hat was made by Philip Treacy for the fashion historian Madeleine Ginsburg, whilst he was still a student at the Royal College of Art.

T.117-2011