The hat between art and extravaganza

The Museum of Costume and Fashion at Palazzo Pitti opens its doors to the accessory that never goes unnoticed; the hat.

The first monographic exhibition entirely dedicated to the hat, is held at Palazzo Pitti, where the extraordinary collection of the museum includes more than a thousand units. The exhibition represents a great opportunity to see some of these pieces, which are usually kept in storage, and just a small part of the vast collection is showed at the exhibition.

Pieces designed by some of the most famous couture houses such as Christian Dior, Givenchy, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, John Rocha, Prada, Gianfranco Ferré and international productions of famous milliners of the present and the past are on display. But there are also, for the first time, hats designed by Italian and Florentine millinery. The extraordinary sketches made specifically by Alberto Lattuada - illustrator, designer and stylist - and objects created by Clemente Cartoni, a famous Roman milliner of the 1950s and 1960s are also exposed.

The exhibition shows how the hat can be transformed into an "artwork"; an object that allows a great freedom of opinion and expression, an accessory which was one of the key leaders in the history of costume, especially in the 1900. Not only an accessory then, but also and object of military or religious use, or a symbol of dignity and elegance.

The exhibition highlights the use of the hat, an object always up-to-date which combines colour, shape and ornamental refinement, and capable of giving pleasure and elegance.