An Odyssey of the Hats of Dior

We live through the eyes of Stephen Jones as he opens up the doors to Dior’s archival hat treasuries with a new exhibition 'Dior Hats, The Art of Hats from Christian Dior to Stephen Jones', curated by Florence Müller and with artistic direction by Jones himself.

In commemoration of Jones’ 240-page book that celebrates over 70 years of the House’s heritage in millinery, these hats will be on display at the Christian Dior Museum in Granville, Normandy, France.

Stephen Jones, artistic director of Dior hats. Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø, 2019.

Jones is recognised as one of the most eminent milliners in the industry and was appointed as the artistic director for Dior’s hats in 1996. Having worked alongside prominent designers of the maison like Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, and Christian Dior himself, to creating his own works with John Galliano, Raf Simons, and Maria Grazia Chiuri, the British milliner unearths an exhibition of hats as a tribute to the significance of millinery to the House. He describes these hats as an expression of one’s self and an embodiment of Christian Dior’s vision of sublime femininity.

“A hat is essential to any outfit. It completes it. In a way, a hat is the best way to express your personality.” - Christian Dior

Accompanying the archival hat displays are Haute Couture dresses, emphasising the quintessential role of the accessory in amplifying one’s look, as well as sketches and documentation of the design processes. The retrospective perspective celebrates Dior’s innovative spirit and creative passion for the past 70 years, establishing its status of elegance.

Here are some of the most iconic headdresses in the archival treasury:

Starbright straw “bibi” with filigree brim, accented with taffeta drape, one-off piece made by Stephen Jones after a watercolour-enhanced drawing by Christian Dior for the milliner Claude Saint-Cyr, 1937. Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø, 2019.

Pleated tulle mask inspired by Peggy Guggenheim, Papillons surréalistes design, Spring–Summer 2018 Haute Couture collection. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø, 2019.

Hare-fur-felt veiled beret, Numéro 157 design, Autumn–Winter 2019 Haute Couture collection. Christian Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø, 2019.

Cashmere bonnet decorated with white flowers and a matching veil, Spring–Summer 2013 Haute Couture collection. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø, 2019

Bicorne, Banco dress, Spring–Summer 1953 Haute Couture collection, Tulipe line. Enrico Quinto and Paolo Tinarelli collection. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø, 2019.

Tulle bonnet trimmed with fuchsia-tinted turquoise organdy bows, mingled with sprigs of pink lily of the valley, circa 1970; bonnet covered with flowers, circa 1965; large toque covered with multicolored roses, circa 1965. Christian Dior by Marc Bohan. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø, 2019.

Small asymmetric cloche in velour felt pierced by a matching arrow, Mère Michel design, Autumn–Winter 1949 Haute Couture collection, Milieu du siècle line. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø, 2019.

Innovative headdress made of a large bow in yellow satin and red crepe de chine, pierced with two blue goose feathers, one-off piece by Stephen Jones, after a watercolor-enhanced drawing by Christian Dior for the milliner Claude Saint-Cyr, 1937. Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø, 2019.

Capeline in silver plated lace trimmed with vintage paradise plumes, veiling, and rhinestones, Princesse Patalia design, Autumn–Winter 1997 Haute Couture collection. Dior Héritage collection, Paris. Photograph by Simon McGuigan, 2020.

The exhibition is happening from May 14 to October 30, 2022, at the Christian Dior Museum in Granville, Normandy, France.