Hat Facts

The word “milliner” was first recorded in 1529 and referred to Milan, the premier source for straw hats.

Chanel, Halston and Adolfo all started out as milliners.

“Mad as a hatter” : in order to bind felt fibers the millinery industry used mercury. Felt fluff would be inhaled by the milliners and over time the mercury would drive them mad.

Rotten Row, London’s famous riding area, was the gathering place for Victorian courtesans. When Skittles one of the most famous courtesans appeared in a dashing riding bowler she set of a fashion frenzy.

Rose Bertin, Marie Antoinette’s milliner, helped her client lose her head by designing such extravagant creations. She yielded enormous style power at the court and can be considered the world’s first stylist