Hats off! to Misa Harada

Pola Museum Annex
20 November to 27 December 2015

 
Audacious, edgy, elegant, funky and flamboyant: the creations of Misa Harada, Japanese milliner based in London, have drawn loyal followers from the world’s fashionista, the rich and famous, young and old.

She supplies her hats to the British royal family. In 2002, Queen Elizabeth has celebrated her golden jubilee with one of her hats. Pop icons such as Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and the Rolling Stones sport her head attire. Her hats were frequently spotted in the popular American TV series “Sex and the City”. Many internationally famous designers incorporate her millinery into their catwalk shows.

Graduated from the prestigious Royal College of Art in 1994, Harada was immediately spotted and hired by Frederick Fox, milliner to the British royal family, where she stayed for four years. Soon she started her own business and label “misaharada”. Her innovative haute couture hats quickly grabbed attention and recognition not only from the conservative British millinery industry, but also from celebrities who seek unique attire out of the ordinary.

Whether a decorative straw hat with feather or a headdress with face veil, her hats with distinctive accessories and studied asymmetry are works of art. This exhibition of the milliner, first ever in Japan, uncovers her creative universe through four themes: “Creation”, “Collection”, “Clients” and “Collaboration”. Find out how her sketches express the designs of her future hats, explore the creator’s workshop reproduced in this art space and have a glimpse of her latest creations.