Coniston thumbnail 1
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Coniston

Hat
2000 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This hat is made of velvet, moulded into undulating folds which are permanently set to one side, giving the effect that a fast wind has just swished by the fabric. The design of the hat suggests the idea of speed and is named 'Coniston' after the lake where Donald Campbell broke the world land-speed record in 1967. The hat is lined with bird of paradise feathers which give an iridescent sheen to the interior of the folds.

Sir Frederick Fox retired from the millinery business in 2002, following 40 years of hat-making. Australian born Fox moved to London in 1958 to work with milliners Otto Lucas and later Mitzi Lorenz. In 1964 he opened his own salon in London's Brook street. Milliner to the Queen since 1969, Fox designed classic styles made to the highest standard and worn by an international clientele to imporatant public and private events. He was noted for his technical skill in making hats and his use of the highest quality materials .

Following his retirement Fox returned to Australia and became a patron of the Australian Millinery Association.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleConiston (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Velvet and feathers
Brief description
Hat of black molded velvet lined with feathers
Physical description
Black velvet molded into undulating wave shapes lined with irredescent feathers.
Dimensions
  • Depth: 21cm
  • Diameter: 16cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Frederick Fox
  • Conistan
  • Transliteration
Credit line
Given by Sir Frederick Fox
Object history
This hat came from the archive of Frederick Fox, which was offered in part at his retirement in 2002.
Summary
This hat is made of velvet, moulded into undulating folds which are permanently set to one side, giving the effect that a fast wind has just swished by the fabric. The design of the hat suggests the idea of speed and is named 'Coniston' after the lake where Donald Campbell broke the world land-speed record in 1967. The hat is lined with bird of paradise feathers which give an iridescent sheen to the interior of the folds.

Sir Frederick Fox retired from the millinery business in 2002, following 40 years of hat-making. Australian born Fox moved to London in 1958 to work with milliners Otto Lucas and later Mitzi Lorenz. In 1964 he opened his own salon in London's Brook street. Milliner to the Queen since 1969, Fox designed classic styles made to the highest standard and worn by an international clientele to imporatant public and private events. He was noted for his technical skill in making hats and his use of the highest quality materials .

Following his retirement Fox returned to Australia and became a patron of the Australian Millinery Association.
Collection
Accession number
T.33-2003

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Record createdAugust 19, 2003
Record URL
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