Tracy Rose 'Hats Off' Exhibition

When Tracy Rose first wore her own hat design to Royal Ascot, the photographers couldn’t get enough snaps. Now 30 years on she is still creating quirky designs and the photographers are still snapping. To celebrate all these years in the millinery industry, Tracy decided to showcase a large selection of her original hats for 2 days so the public could get a closer look.

Tracy’s launch party for the ‘Hats Off’ exhibition was last night and here’s a few of her wonderful creations: 

2006 - Rose Cloud

White silk with blue & black chiffon roses.

2010 - England World Cup

White silk, red satin with Swarovski crystals. 

This hat represents the England flag waving in the breeze with goalposts at each end.

The black veil represents the goal net and on the net are 11 tiny footballs representing the 11 english players.

2001 Picasso hat

Turquoise chiffon, silk face with brown chiffon hair. 

Inspired by Picasso. 

The brown represents hair.

If the hat is turned upside down the crown becomes the neck with a bow.

2011 Windmill hat

Black, pink, yellow and white satin. 

It became known as the windmill hat only after a few people observed that it looked as thought it was moving.

2008 Zig Zag hat

Lilac, pink, orange and blue satin.

2004 Art Deco hat

Yellow and pink silk with beaded fringing. The skull cap has more fringing at the back.

2011 - Wimbledon hat

This is one of Tracy's latest and of course she wore it to Wimbledon. 

White satin, veiling and crystals.

It is to celebrate Lavazza being the official coffee at Wimbledon. 

The crown represents a coffee cup,

the brim a tennis racquet,

the veiling the tennis strings 

and brown Swarovski crystals are scattered around like coffee beans.

The petals at the front are satin replicas of Lavazza coffee capsules and in the centre is a velvet tennis ball.

1996 Heart hat

Black chiffon with white pearls

1987 Zip hat

Bronze lame and zips

1982 - Gold Ra Ra hat

This was the first hat Tracy wore at Royal Ascot. 

Gold lame.

It may have caused a stir in its day, but now it looks a bit tame compared to her latest creations.

1998 - Tiger hat

There's nothing tame about this Tiger hat.

Tiger print chiffon with gold thread. 

Gold lame and black fringing.

1995 Butterfly hat

Pink satin crown with dark pink chiffon and crystals. 

Tracy explains that the split brim (just to the right) is one of her signature designs.

Other signature designs are swirls and waves.

2003 Candy Delight

Pink and yellow Marabou feathers with black lace up. Behind is the Leaf hat.

2011 Staircase hat

Pink silk, gold lame and blue velvet. 

There is a door with 300 on it at the top of the crown (not shown)  in celebration of Royal Ascot 300 year old birthday this year. 

2010 Chocolate Box hat

Definitely one of my favourites! Purple satin, lilac chiffon and brown silk chocolates- yummeeee!

2003 Oriental Lily

Pink crystals, organza silk lily, silver lame swirls and silver chains. 

Tracy created this in tribute to her grandmother Lily, who had just passed away. 

Lily was also a milliner and Tracy still uses her wooden block from 1923.

2006 Spanish hat

Black lace, black and white crepe, pink and red satin.

2002 Fan hat

Lilac lace, pink and lila Marabou feathers. Dyed silk glove with acrylic nails.

On a close up you can see the acrylic nails clearly with their nail polish. 

Tracy's nails are the same length and on the day she painted them in the same colour and design.

So that's a few but still more to see at the exhibition. It is at the Gallery Different, 14 Percy Street, London W1 and there is still one more day of viewing.  From 1000am - 6pm on  Sat 29th Oct. Entry is free. 

Tracy Rose

 My favourite has to be the Chocolate Box hat - which is your favourite? Please let us know in the comment box.

For more details on Tracy's hats see her website:  www.tracyrosehats.co.uk