The Culture Trust Luton presents ‘Hats Made Me’, a major exhibition that explores the global significance of hats and headwear.
The exhibition, staged at Stockwood Discovery Centre, features 400 years of hats from the collection as well as objects from the world’s most celebrated fashion and performance milliners, including British Hat Guild members Awon Golding, Philip Treacy and Jane Smith.
Featuring more than 200 objects, the exhibition includes a red visor design chosen by Beyoncé for Vogue magazine, a bridal hat worn by Cara Delevingne in Vogue, Michael Keaton’s cowl from Batman and a lace mantilla worn by Queen Isabella II of Spain.
This is one of the largest exhibitions of its kind, pulling together practical and purposeful headwear, with wonderful and whimsical costume from stage and screen. The exhibition explores why we wear hats, and how headwear is used to protect and transform, to say something, and to mean something.
Poster image above is a hat by Philip Treacy.
Venue:
Stockwood Discovery Centre
London Road
Luton
LU1 4LX
How to get there:
Parking - Stockwood Discovery Centre car park is big and it’s free! They also have 2 parking bays for coaches and 6 parking bays for disabled badge holders.
Train - Stockwood Discovery Centre is approximately 1.5 miles away from both Luton and Luton Airport Parkway. If you don’t fancy the walk, a taxi rank is located directly outside Luton Station, and taxis also frequent Luton Airport Parkway.
Bus - Take the 321 from Luton Town Centre, Church Street, Stop C9.
Opening hours and days:
22nd April 2023 - 10th December 2023
Weds - Sun, 11AM - 5PM - open 7 days a week in school holidays (check opening times on website here)
‘Showtime for Hats’ exhibition
While you are in Luton, look out for a second exhibition called ‘Showtime for Hats’ which will be open from 4th September 2023 until the end of October 2023. For more information click here.