On our last full day in Florence we spent the morning at Museo Ferragamo, a gallery dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of Salvatore Ferragamo's collection of custom designed shoes. The museum serves as an archive of Ferragamo's life work and allows visitors to witness the ingenuity and artistry behind each of his creations. Several other artists and designers are featured at the museum, giving inspiration to, or drawing inspiration from the collections and how they are presented. One of these designers is Stephen Jones, a London-born milliner who has developed a series of hand-made hats modelled off of a selection of Ferragamo's infamous shoes.
A sketch I made of one of Jones' hats at Museo Ferragamo.
A trend-setter from a very young age, Jones started sporting his own handmade headpieces at local clubs to complement his already original outfits. In the early 1980's he opened a millinery shop located in Covent Garden, a fashion hub in London's downtown core. Over the past 30 years Jones has developed a list of clientele that ranges from Lady Diana to The Rolling Stones to Quaker Oats, and he has collaborated with several high-end clothing designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood. His creations have been featured in countless fashion publications, displayed in exhibitions around the world and are coveted by celebrities and collectors alike. In addition to Museo Ferragamo, Stephen Jones' headpieces are displayed in institutions such as the Victoria & Albert in London, the Louvre in Paris and the Brooklyn Museum in New York.
“I like to think that people regard my work as a treat, more akin to chocolates or perfume than just fashion. A hat should be a pal, because it's befriending your face.” - Stephen Jones
Jones' hats are exquisite examples of wearable art, taking the craft of millinery to a whole new level. He has modernized hat making through the introduction of unusual materials, eccentric forms, and exquisite craftsmanship. His exhibition at Museo Ferragamo follows the themes of glamour, fantasy, futurism, colour, shape, and material. Each piece of Jones' work is completely unique and perfectly conveys his eccentric, whimsical character - when it comes to head wear, Jones is a visionary. The level of imagination and innovation behind Salvatore Ferragamo's footwear is difficult to match, but the stunning head pieces of Stephen Jones prove to be excellent companions each pair of Ferragamo's equally fabulous shoes.
Stephen Jones' current collection entitled “Drifiting and Dreaming” can be viewed at
http://www.stephenjonesmillinery.com
- Laura M, Jessica and Kelvin
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