Whether you’re a fan of the races or not, it doesn’t really matter – it’s all about the hats
Ascot is upon us, and it’s time to sort out your crowning glory – your hat. With events taking place from Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 June 2022, there is no finer occasion to step out of the joggers and into a world of sartorial elegance. Now in its eighth year, the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective is here to help with a selection of 12 Ascot hats for the season.
Put Your Hat On: It’s Ascot
Wonder at a host of magnificent milliners – all British – who have each designed a hat to provide punters with their own inspiration. There are names you’ll all recognise – Philip Treacy OBE, Stephen Jones OBE and Victoria Grant – as well as many new young pretenders to the scene. All have one thing in common – hats that will ensure you stand head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd.
This year, Ascot has worked with world-renowned photographer and fashion director Damian Foxe to capture the hats for 2022. Explore the 12 looks for the season below.
For more inspiration, our 2022 Ascot style guide has got you covered.
Hats for Ascot 2022
Philip Treacy OBE
‘Royal Ascot is the ultimate moment of expression of our craft. It is the reason we exist and survive! It’s also our greatest source of inspiration. Today hats are worn for ultimate moments in people’s lives, and Royal Ascot is one of these moments.’
Victoria Grant
‘”Purple Reign” has been designed in honour of Her Majesty The Queen and her Platinum Jubilee. Inspired by British heritage and celebrating time old traditions, I have created a specially tailored ‘ladies top hat’ in symbolic royal purple, with feather plumage, reminiscent of ceremonial dress, and topped off with a crown jewel and diamond veil.’
Stephen Jones OBE
‘A single veil is uniquely flattering to your face, imagine if you have twenty!’
William Chambers
‘Royal Ascot is all about celebration and fantasy, so I created this super-sized version of our popular floral bouquet hat, with leather orchids and a large silk rose in juicy raspberry tones. Celebrate with flowers!’
Vivien Sheriff
‘We are delighted to present our Royal Ascot Millinery Collective headpiece in celebration of the Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 9 carat gold leaf on a finely hand-woven base, an array of delicately burnished feathers in silver, platinum and gold; a truly spectacular platinum millinery salut!’
Sarah Cant
‘”Sylvabelle” is an extension of my SS22 collection, ‘Riviera’, inspired by the colours and and textures of the Côte d’Azur, especially as it is portrayed in mid-century holiday adverts. The dramatic headpiece of ombré tulle and two-tone sinamay takes its name from the Plage de Sylvabelle, where the green land meets the Azur Sea, and the sun fringes everything in gold.’
Maggie Mowbray
‘The iconic headband is always my go to style, but I wanted to create something more editorial while feeling luxurious. The band is reminiscent of the French Hood or Gable Hood but created in the style of the modern halo band. Embroidered with a diamanté lace to reflect the design of the matching veil. The veil can be worn as a stand-alone design or worn either in front of the headband or under, or not at all, allowing a multitude of looks.’
Lisa Tan
‘With 2022 being an important year for Her Majesty The Queen, I could think of no better inspiration for my Royal Ascot Millinery Collective design. “Jubilant” is a celebration of The Queen and her Platinum Jubilee milestone. This spiral-shaped headpiece features seven complete twists to represent the number of decades The Queen has ruled as our monarch and is handcrafted in platinum-coloured sinamay woven with lurex threads for a little extra sparkle. It floats above the head but is grounded by a base large enough to fulfil Royal Enclosure requirements. A special piece for a truly special year.’
Justine Bradley-Hill
‘We are thrilled to be part of this year’s Royal Ascot Millinery Collective. Our collective headpiece takes its inspiration from the glorious works of costume designer Walter Plunkett with an additional nod to the 1980s. The lux riding hat’s sharp angles are draped in hand died silk organza ruffles and ribbons. I think we have created a piece for the modern day quaintrelle, a piece of head candy for the brave and the bold.’
John Boyd
‘We are delighted to be part of the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective this year. Our giant rose hat is handmade with dip dyed pink ombré silk petals reminiscent of My Fair Lady. It is a bold and joyous piece created with 2022 in mind and celebrating the recommencing of many hat wearing events.’
Edwina Ibbotson
Bombini Studios: Jessica Collins
Featured image: Edwina Ibbotson
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