Here Comes the Sun

The rise of Louis XIV, the Sun King, and his court at Versailles, signalled the dawn of the Classical Baroque era in art, architecture, music, and fashion.  It was defined by natural, curving silhouettes, flowing lines, gold filigree, rich colours, and overall voluptuousness.  Clothing contained an abundance of lace, pearls, ribbons, and gold embroidery, and was refreshingly free from the excessive decoration of the Renaissance.  Fashion changed rapidly:  the growing middle class would copy the styles of the nobles, who would in turn create new fashions to stay more “refined” than the middle class.  Unlike earlier periods, where bodices, sleeves, skirts, jackets, and breeches were made to mix and match, clothing during this period was made as separate and entire matching outfits, often made of the same fabric.  This was referred to as en suite, and was the predecessor for our modern-day “suit.”  Seasonality also began to be widely used, a grateful relief from yearlong, heavy gowns and doublets as worn during the Renaissance.  The most important development of this period was the rise of fashion designers after Louis XIV certified the establishment of a dress-makers guild and a milliners guild.  These professions contained both men and women.  The most popular designers were well-pursued by the nobility and even the middle class.

The Duchess of Style

The baroque era fashion trend for outrageous wigs and hats featured in the award winning costume drama ‘The Duchess’ starring the sublime Keira Knightly.  She was quoted as saying that wearing the elaborate wigs for several hours during filming put a great strain on her famously slender neck, but she loved the drama of the millinery and costumes designed for the film by Michael O’Connor (winner of both BAFTA and Academy Awards for costume design in 2008 for ‘The Duchess’).

Rock Baroque

The new collection from Hat Couture Creations is inspired by the Georgian splendour of neo-baroque millinery.  Featuring dramatic sweeping asymetric profiles, low crowns, plumes and hand made silk blossoms under and over the brim, each one off design is a statement piece guaranteed to turn heads and make you feel like a Duchess.  The first design out of the starting gate is ‘Giverny Gardens’ a beautiful piece exclusively hand crafted by Hat Couture Creations. Featuring our signature large sweeping brim and low domed crown in premium ivory sinamay with matching sinamay swirls and arrow head plumes, this elegant hat is finished with blush silk hydrangea blossoms and roses.  Giverny Gardens is available exclusively for a limited time only from www.hatcouturecreations.com.

Next in the Rock Baroque collection  is ‘Vivienne at Versailles’ another fabulous one of a kind piece  by Hat Couture Creations. Also featuring our signature large sweeping brim and low domed crown in premium light blue sinamay with matching sinamay swirls and arrow head plumes, this elegant hat is finished with vivid blue silk hydrangea blossoms and ivory roses.  Vivienne at Versailles is available exclusively for a limited time only from www.hatcouturecreations.com.

 

‘Prudence at the Palace’ is the third hat in the Rock Baroque collection by Hat Couture Creations. This design also features a low crown and large asymetric brim in dark grey sinamay with matching sinamay swirls and arrow head plumes. This theatrical hat is finished with soft pink silk hydrangea blossoms and roses.  Prudence at the Palace is available exclusively for a limited time only from www.hatcouturecreations.com.

‘Blushing Peonies for Penelope’ is the final piece to complete the Rock Baroque collection by Hat Couture Creations. Featuring our signature large sweeping brim and low domed crown in premium light grey sinamay with matching sinamay swirls and arrow head plumes, this elegant hat is finished with hand made silk peony blossoms in tones of the softest pinks and blush.  Blushing Peonies for Penelope is available exclusively for a limited time only from www.hatcouturecreations.com.

For these and more exclusive designs inspired by Baroque splendour please visit my Etsy store at http://www.hatcouturecreations.com or contact Denise Marsh at hatcouturemillinery@gmail.com.