The accessory that allows you to be daring and customise your own style. It never goes unnoticed; the extra touch to your outfit

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.

Cappello femminile, taffettà e strass. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo  della Moda e del CostumeCopricapo, filato laminato argentato. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi,  Museo della Moda e del CostumeCartoni Clemente, Acconciatura da testa, 1965 ca., piume d’airone e  velluto. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo della Moda e del CostumeCappello femminile, XIX secolo (1940 ca.), seta/velluto, uccello del  paradiso/impagliatura e fiori artificiali. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo della  Moda e del CostumeCopricapo, feltro, piume di fagiano. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Museo della  Moda e del CostumeGivenchy, copricapo femminile, XX secolo (1969-1970), seta. Firenze, Gallerie  degli Uffizi, Museo della Moda e del Costume
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The hat between art and extravaganza

Museum of Costume and Fashion, Pitti Palace, Florence

3 December 2013 – 18 May 2014

Exhibition curated by Simona Fulceri and Katia Sanchioni

Exhibition catalogue published by Sillabe (available only in Italian)

Ministero dei beni e delle attività culturali e del turismo, Direzione Regionale per i Beni Culturali e Paesaggistici della Toscana, Soprintendenza Speciale per il Patrimonio Storico, Artistico ed Etnoantropologico e per il Polo Museale della città di Firenze; Galleria del Costume - Palazzo Pitti, Firenze Musei e con il contributo di  Consorzio “Il Cappello di Firenze”