Palais Galliera Hosts First Hat Exhibition: Stephen Jones

The Palais Galliera in Paris is dedicating its first exhibition to a single accessory: the hat. Titled 'Stephen Jones, Chapeaux d’Artiste', the show explores the creative process of the British milliner and his deep ties to Paris. Running until March 16, 2025, it celebrates Jones's architectural masterpieces and his collaborations with top couturiers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, and Vivienne Westwood. Jones, who debuted his first collection in 1982, is known for his ability to amplify a designer's vision. In the early 1990s, he worked with John Galliano at Givenchy, sharing a common aesthetic rooted in 1980s Britishness. Jones views hats as a means of emotional expression, not mere accessories. He has created custom hats for the British Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II, and for clients like Princess Diana. His career began after visiting a fashion exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum at age 18, leading him to study at Saint Martin's School of Art. He learned millinery techniques at Lachasse, where he made his first hat for sale: a blue pillbox hat. In 1980, at 26, he opened a small atelier in Covent Garden's PX shop, making 30 hats. Now 70, Jones reflects on his journey from London clubs to Parisian ateliers.