It's millinery madness at TheNewDowse this October, with an exhibition of more than 30 of Philip Treacy's extraordinary hats, commissioned by the late Isabella Blow. Treacy, one of the world's most celebrated style icons, will be also be in New Zealand for a number of events, including a dinner , an evening at Auckland Museum and talk at Massey University. The exhibition is part of The Deutz International Fashion Season, which also features Christian Dior to Issey Miyake: 50 years of Fashion Photography.It's millinery madness at TheNewDowse this October, with an exhibition of more than 30 of Philip Treacy's extraordinary hats, commissioned by the late Isabella Blow. Treacy, one of the world's most celebrated style icons, will be also be in New Zealand for a number of events, including a dinner , an evening at Auckland Museum and talk at Massey University. The exhibition is part of The Deutz International Fashion Season, which also features Christian Dior to Issey Miyake: 50 years of Fashion Photography.Imagine if you can, donning an enormous hat laden with sparkling diamantes, an extravagant haute couture ball gown, fluttering your mascara-laden eyelashes and glamorously dismissing the ever-present paparazzi. Welcome to the world of high fashion, high drama and fearless creativity.

When Philip Met Isabella showcases 32 stunning avant-garde hats made by the world's most adventurous milliner, Philip Treacy, for his friend and muse, the late style-icon Isabella Blow.

Since their first meeting on a fashion shoot in 1989, when Treacy was a student at the Royal College of Art in London, Blow became his staunchest supporter and a constant source of inspiration. Many of his most surreal and sculptural hats were made for her. "Issy never said 'You've gone too far,'" says Treacy. "She always said 'You haven't gone far enough.'"

Developed and toured by the Design Museum London, this exhibition celebrates their collaboration over 20 years. The wonderful array of hats range from The Ship, an astonishingly realistic replica of an 18th century French ship with full rigging made from miniature buttons, to the rose pink damask Pope modelled on the papal hat. Then there is the Birds of a Feather hat, made from gilded eagle quills that Isabella wore perched on her head with an accompanying ball and chain. The enchanting Arrows of Love hat is part hat, part mask, and with its moulded pink form framing Isabella's face, it truly transformed her from elegant party guest, to a living, breathing work of art.

When: 6 October - 3 February 2008
Where: TheNewDowse, 45 Laings Road, Lower Hutt
Cost: $10 per ticket, $8 concessions (entry to both exhibitions)

3/10/07

Image:Isabella Blow wearing orange acrylic disk hat by Philip Treacy 2002. © Donald McPherson, JGK Inc. New York.