Milliner to the stars, Philip Treacy, is currently chez Grazia Towers judging some of the hopefuls in the Grazia Hat Factor, and just as the first entrants were making their way through the doors, we caught up with top milliner Philip Treacy to fin out what he’s looking for while he judges our brand new competition.
‘Talent!’ He says ‘really, and that’s about originality, enthusiasm, technique, design ability, it doesn’t have to be rocket science – [but it’s] that element of something special, really’.
And how does that fit in with all the other excitement this year; notably the 2012 festival, which the winning Hat Factor design will be involved in, in a top secret way... 'Well' he says, 'the project itself is part of the celebration, but I don’t think we’re looking for an Olympic hat, necessarily’.
And as for that OTHER big event this year, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Philip was coyly silent about any role he might play, though he did indicate he’d have SOME involvement, saying that ‘royalty wears hats! Hats are a part of royal.... protocol – they are a part of those dressing up moments, and royalty has more of them.
‘Hats have been kept alive by the royal family, and by her majesty the Queen – because she has kept hats alive in the imagination of people all over the world- they associate hats with her, and with Englishness.’
And in that sense, it’s good to have someone like, Kate Middleton regularly wearing hats with pride, right? ‘Yes, because she is the New Girl… Who everyone wants to look like!’
It’s here! The day of the hotly anticipated Grazia Hat Factor has finally arrived, and we are very, very excited. Almost as excited, in fact, as some of the eager milliners who have been queuing outside Grazia HQ since the almost unfeasibly early hour of 4am. Phewf!
Looking surprisingly fresh-faced, the hopeful hat makers are sussing out the competition, readying their pitches and prepping themselves for their sixty seconds in front of our panel, which includes Grazia editor-in-chief Jane Bruton, Grazia style director Paula Reed, and two of Britain’s most respected milliners, Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy.
The first hopefuls have just started making their way up to the judges room, and we'll be bring you updates from both the judges and the entrants as the day progresses. Good luck everyone!
The above story is from Grazia UK and we are loving every minute of it as we are sure you are going to as well. Here is the link and I will be keeping you posted, but would this not be totally fabulous to have in Australia so all of our marvelous milliners could show off their craft? Click Here for Grazia UK
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