STEPHEN JONES: MAESTRO MILLINER

PHOTO: PETER ASHWORTH

​SøEdited Team
SøBeauty Director: Astrid Kearney
SøEditor-in-Chief: Chris Saint Sims 
​SøFashion Director: Savannah Barthorpe​​​​​​

Hats sculpt the face, framing features with an artistry that can transform the wearer. They elevate style beyond mere adornment, shaping silhouettes and creating striking focal points.

​The recent exhibition Stephen Jones, Chapeaux d'Artiste at the Palais Galliera in Paris was a spectacular tribute to the legendary British milliner Stephen Jones. Celebrating his extraordinary career, the exhibition offered a comprehensive look at his innovative designs and collaborations with the world’s leading fashion houses, most notably his long-standing partnership with Christian Dior.

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Featuring nearly 400 pieces, including over 170 hats, sketches, photographs, and fashion show excerpts, the exhibition was a vibrant exploration of Jones’s work. Around 40 full ensembles provided insight into his creative process and the stories behind some of his most iconic pieces. His design philosophy blends English eccentricity with French elegance, creating a unique aesthetic that has graced the heads of fashion icons and celebrities for decades.

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Curated by Miren Arzalluz and Marie-Laure Gutton, the display led visitors through various themes, from the avant-garde London club scene of the 1980s to the opulence of Marie Antoinette. This thematic arrangement highlighted Jones's ability to merge historical references with contemporary style, a hallmark of his career.

PHOTO: KOTO BOLOFO

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A particularly personal section of the exhibition included childhood mementos that revealed early inspirations behind Jones's creative journey. Nostalgic artifacts, such as photos and souvenirs from his youth, offered a glimpse into the foundation of his passion for design and showcased how his experiences shaped his future as one of the most influential milliners in the world.

​As a fitting continuation, a book titled Stephen Jones, Chapeaux d'Artiste was published, offering a deeper dive into his extensive body of work. With rich photographs, sketches, and personal anecdotes from the designer himself, it stands as a beautifully designed tribute to Jones’s legacy and a must-have for fashion enthusiasts and admirers.
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And so, in a world where millinery is both an art and a statement, Stephen Jones reminds us that a hat is never just a hat—it is the final brushstroke, the defining silhouette, the crowning glory of beauty.

Article and exhibition photography: Astrid Kearney