This exhibition presents more than 100 years of hats in London, Ontario, showcasing a wide array of examples of this once staple clothing accessory. Hat Tricks reflects on the history of hats, the culture and custom of hat wearing as well as the craft of hat making, featuring examples by several London milliners.
From the everyday cap to the adventurous fascinator, the exhibition, organized by curator Lisa Hunter, will feature a wide selection of hats from the Museum’s vast textile collection, as well as historical photographs and artifacts related to hat care and hat making. Together these unique objects tell the history hats, as both fashion accessory and reflection of our changing society. The origin of expressions such as “mad as a hatter” will also be explored. The exhibition provides a unique opportunity examine society through fashion, something that is part of our everyday life, but an equally important part of our history as well.