Second Place in the Dutch Hat Association (Nederlandse Hoeden Vereniging) Competition

I am so excited to have received second place in the Dutch Hat Competition! 

The competition is organised by the Dutch Hat Association (Nederlandse Hoeden Vereniging) and the theme was Foldable Follies.  The challenge was to design and make a hat that be folded in and out! Folded in, it should fit in a box of 40 x 40 x 10 cm, unfolded it should be a fully-fledged, wearable hat.

The piece I created was called Power of the Bow.  I used a combination of white vintage straw and fine black dupion silk.

Power of the Bow - Lauren J Ritchie - Foldable Follies - Dutch Hat Competition - Nederlandse Hoe (5)

Power of the bow is a piece that hinges on the strength and beauty of a bow.  The piece sits flat in the box and then comes to life when the bow joins to the piece using the press studs.  It transforms into a pitched shape that secures to the head on a small button shape.  The three bows offers a security to the shape and well a stunning trim. 

Power of the Bow - Lauren J Ritchie - Foldable Follies - Dutch Hat Competition - Nederlandse Hoe (5)

The piece sits nearly flat in the box in a disc form and then springs to life when the silk dupion bows are pulled across and held in place with the press studs. Magic!

Congratulations to Cristina de Prada who recieved first place and Suzanne Jonker-Panis of Zoo Creatief who received third place.  Thank you to the judging panel which included Truus Stuiver, Dirk-Jan Kortschot, Piet Paris and Madinah Tuharea and the sponsors The Trimming Company and Plooij Hats & Materials

Photo Credits
Photographer: Martin Smit
Model: Joël Manoppo
Make-up & Hair: Berre de Jong
Event Organised by: Dutch Hat Association (Nederlandse Hoedenvereniging)

Back to blog