It is said that for every head, there is a suitable hat, and indeed, it cannot be otherwise. Large heads, small heads, pointed, flat, whimsical heads, heads in the clouds… there is a perfect hat for each of them. What we adore in craftsmanship is the ability to make any object unique, and in hats, this characteristic finds its best expression. Because there is nothing more personal than a hat. And it is precisely from this great passion that “The Queen’s Hat” is born, from the visionary mind of Gabriella Chiarappa.
Regal elegance illuminated the anticipation of Milan Fashion Week thanks to ‘The Queen’s Hat,’ the first international exhibition of hat designers destined to make a mark in the fashion world. This extraordinary event, conceived by the visionary mind of Gabriella Chiarappa, captivated and enchanted the audience in the sumptuous Palazzo Visconti from February 16 to 18, 2024.
Proudly sponsored by the Lombardy Region and the Municipality of Milan, the event brought together 12 Hat Designers from around the world, creating a melting pot of styles and inspirations under the creative guidance of Gabriella Chiarappa and her organization, Le Salon de le Mode Agency (Musikologiamo), with Fabuk Magazine as the media partner.
The peak of enthusiasm was reached on the last day of the exhibition, with over 1000 people crowding the event, testifying to the impressive impact the exhibition had on the public.
Highlights included the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, presided over by Michele Sebastiano Barca, head of the Tourism, Marketing, and Fashion department of the Lombardy Region, and Emmanuel Conte, councilor for budget and real estate heritage of the Municipality of Milan. A roundtable on luxury craftsmanship with prestigious speakers enriched the event, outlining the context of elegance and sophistication that characterized the entire event. Among them were Antonio De Matteis, president of Pitti Immagine and CEO of the Kiton Group, Patrizia Fabri of Antica Manifattura Cappelli, Laura Marelli, the last heir of the historic millinery Gallia, and Peter and Miguel García Abad for the Marangoni Institute Florence. Particularly interesting moments included the discussion on the art of wearing a hat with Pablo Ardizzone, an image expert.
The reference to the regality of Queen Elizabeth II was palpable throughout the exhibition, culminating in the awarding of the three winners in the categories ‘The Queen’s Hat,’ ‘Queen’s Elisabeth,’ and ‘The Queen’s Hat Innovation.’
The prestigious ‘The Queen’s Hat’ was awarded to Maor Zabar from Israel, whose exceptional hat captivated the jury for its unparalleled elegance. The ‘Queen’s Elisabeth’ award was given to Elena Khovanskaya and Irina Vassilyeva of Masterkayairlen, Kazakhstan, embodying the distinctive style of Queen Elizabeth. Finally, ‘The Queen’s Hat Innovation’ was attributed to Ilariusss by Ilaria Soncini for its creativity and innovation.
The highlight of the event was the cocktail party celebrating the winners, adding a touch of glamour and festivity to the regal atmosphere of the exhibition. The contest winner had the honor of receiving an award crafted by the Sicilian company ‘Ceramicando.’ Gabriella Chiarappa declares: ‘With ‘The Queen’s Hat,’ we have not only anticipated the start of Milan Fashion Week by celebrating the myth of the hat but also inaugurated a new era, transforming not only the object itself but also the context and perception surrounding it.
Among the fantastic participants: Ranelle Larocque, Clémence Grisot, Natalia Borisova, Berry Rutjes, Noma Ndlovu, Diana Cavagnaro, Haidee Neill, Andrea D’Alessio, Maria Teresa Conti.
Photo by: Abraham Caprani – Giuseppina Naso
By: Gabriella Chiarappa