Passing by the Victoria & Albert museum yesterday evening, one could have been forgiven for thinking one had stumbled upon a mad hatter's convention, or - as indeed was the case - something to do with Stephen Jones.
Jones, perhaps the world's most pre-eminent milliner, has collaborated with the V&A on an exhibition displaying more than 300 hats from all over the world throughout history - and last night he invited more than 300 of his closest friends to celebrate its opening. The dress code was "dress your head", and the guests, who included models, drag queens and celebrities such as Yasmin le Bon, Erin Wasson, Anouk Lepere and Jefferson Hack, didn't disappoint. From trilbys to tricorns, from facemasks to fascinators, the room was a sea of extraordinary creations.
Star of the show was Erin O'Connor, currently vice-chair of London Fashion Week. Wearing a hat made especially by Stephen Jones (whom she counts as a personal friend) consisting of an explosion of black and grey feathers, she opened the show to a roar of applause and, if not quite a raising of hats, then certainly a toast with pink champagne.
Hats: an anthology by Stephen Jones is at the V&A from 24 February until 31 May 2009.
Picture: Stephen Jones and Erin O'Connor
See more celebrity pictures from the launch party of Stephen Jones' hat exhibition
