An extremely brief history of hats by Anuccia
Where did you get that hat? Where did you get that tile? Isn't it a nobby one, and just the proper style? I should like to have one just the same as that! Whe'er I go they shout "Hello! Where did you get that hat?"
Hats have been around for a very long time. It's impossible to say when the first animal skin was pulled over a head as protection against the elements, and although it was not a hat in the true sense; it was realized that covering your head can sometimes be an advantage.
One of the first hats to be depicted was found in a tomb painting at Thebes and shows a man wearing a coolie style hat. Other early hats include the Pileus, which was a simple skull cap. The Phrygian cap, which became identified later as the "liberty" cap given to slaves in Greece and Rome when they were made free men; and the Pestasos which comes from ancient Greece and is the first known hat with a brim. Although women from an early stage were always expected to have their heads covered by veils, kerchiefs, hoods, caps and wimples - it was not until the end of the 16th century that women's structured hats, based on those of male courtiers; began to be seen.
It was in the late 17th century that women's headwear began to emerge in its own right and not to be influenced by men's fashions. The word "milliner", a maker of women's hats; was first recorded in 1529 when the term referred to the products for which Milan and other northern Italian regions were well known, i.e. ribbons, gloves and straws. The haberdashers who imported these highly popular straws were called Milaners from which the word was eventually derived.
By the mid 1800's Swiss and Italian straws, together with imitation straws made from paper, cardboard, grass and horsehair were available to women, along with the introduction of velvet and tulle. Lace was also introduced, mostly used as hair caps underneath large flamboyant hats decorated with feathers. As ladies in the 18th century started to dress their hair in elaborate high styles, so hats became hair pieces - or "fascinators" - small arrangements of feathers, ribbons and flowers with which to adorn the hair.
The Catherinette Tradition - "Le Fete des Cathrinettes" - is the French fashion world's salute to milliners and their patron saint: Catherine of Alexandria. While originally the "patronne" of young unmarried women, by the 19th century Sainte Catherine was adopted by milliners because so many young women were employed as hat makers. During the feast of Sainte Catherine, November 25th, the Parisian couture houses hosted festive parties to which the "Catherinettes" wore elaborate hats. These were especially designed for the occasion in the Saint's colours - yellow and green - symbolizing faith and knowledge.
Most women love hats, and weddings are perfect opportunities to wear them. Hats however don't suit every hairstyle and Anuccia's fascinators are the perfect alternative. Flighty, flirtatious, chic and elegant, her hand-crafted designs can be adapted to suit any outfit in any colour to compliment each person's individual style.
