A book that unfolds around a single word: headwear. An unusual, compound word, this broad title opens the doors to the history of the hat, to its forms and functions, to the importance of a vital accessory.
Ever since they opened in Paris in 1936, the Maison Michel ateliers have been home to a dynamic artisanal tradition where milliners and hatmakers shape a living heritage of headwear. By delving into the archives of this prestigious Maison d’Art, today based at le19M, this book traces the twists and turns of the history of headwear. It offers a rich and eclectic visual record where eras of hat blocks, designs and fabrics collide with photographs and sketches. Headwear is viewed here as a barometer of the zeitgeist, affirming individuality or a sense of belonging. It becomes a tool for holding one’s own, extending silhouettes and completing outfits. From the headgear of Greek labourers to the cloche hats of the Roaring Twenties, from the Phrygian cap to the modern baseball cap, this accessory has forever protected and shaped the face beneath.
Published to mark the 90th anniversary of Maison Michel.
Boris Bergmann is a writer. He has published several books, including
Nage Libre,
Les Corps insurgés and
Minotaure, and has been a resident at the Villa Medici and the Villa Kujoyama. He has organised exhibitions in France and abroad (notably on the work of René Daumal), and contributes as an associate editor at
Magma, an art and literature publication.
Julien Magalhāes is an author. He published his first book with Gallimard,
Erratum, which explores anachronisms in historical costumes on screen, then
Vilains Vilaines, dedicated to the wardrobe of evil figures in fiction. This was followed by several series for the French television channel TV5 Monde, podcasts on the history of beauty standards, articles for
Harper's Bazaar on the relationship between fashion, art and cinema, radio reviews for France Inter, and various formats across platforms and social media.
Priscilla Royer has been Creative Director at Maison Michel since 2015. Over the collections, the designer has taken a pragmatic approach to creating headpieces,from shaped hats to cut-and-sewn hats to jewelled headdresses. Shrugging off any preconceptions, her hats are all about style and practicality. Throughout the years, she has transformed the atelier into a creative laboratory, endlessly testing and developing innovative techniques.
Bastiaan Woudt is a selt-taught Dutch photographer, based in Amsterdam. His work, characterised by highly graphic compositions, focuses on portraits and still lifes.
