The Collection
The American Wing Ancient Near Eastern Art Arms and Armor The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing Asian Art The Cloisters The Costume Institute Drawings and Prints Egyptian Art European Paintings European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Greek and Roman Art Islamic Art Robert Lehman Collection The Libraries Medieval Art Musical Instruments Photographs Antonio Ratti Textile Center Modern and Contemporary Art

On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Hat

Designer Philip Treacy British
Couture Line Philip Treacy British

spring 2003

Not on view

This headpiece by Philip Treacy epitomizes the milliner’s untethered and imaginative approach to design. A swarm of butterflies is assembled from exquisitely worked turkey feathers that were cut, painted, and hand-fashioned into delicate, fluttering forms. Butterflies are one of the most potent symbols of collecting. Rooted in taxidermic systems yet resplendent with poetry, the insect occupies a prominent spot in most European Wunderkammern, or cabinets of curiosities. Because of its transformative nature, the butterfly has inspired infinite metaphor, and within the realm of fashion the analogy has particularly flourished. It easily applies to the accessories designed by Treacy, which invariably hold the potential for dramatic metamorphosis.

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

Hat, Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966), straw, feathers, British

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

© 2019 Nicholas Alan Cope

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Hat

Designer: Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966)

Couture Line: Philip Treacy (Irish, born 1966)

Date: spring 2003

Culture: British

Medium: straw, feathers

Credit Line: Promised Gift of Sandy Schreier

Object Number: L.2018.61.72

The Met

The Costume Institute at The Met

The Costume Institute's collection of more than 33,000 costumes and accessories represents five continents and seven centuries of fashionable dress and accessories for men, women, and children.