MILLINERY COLLECTIVE 2026
“It has been a tremendous privilege to guide the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective into its 11th year and collaborate with some of the world’s most exceptional milliners. This presentation celebrated extraordinary craftsmanship while underscoring millinery’s evolution as a dynamic, contemporary art form. Each designer brings a singular vision and passion to their work, creating a dialogue between tradition and innovation. Set against the vibrant backdrop of London Fashion Week and Claridge’s, the Collective reaffirms Royal Ascot’s role at the forefront of raceday style, inspiring and shaping the future of summer occasionwear.”
Daniel Fletcher, Creative Director
“Swirl upon swirl of vibrant red crinoline rises from a structured conical base, forming a bold and theatrical silhouette. A bouquet of red velvet roses crowns the design, while cascades of flowing red tulle create movement and drama. The composition is both romantic and commanding, enveloped in rich scarlet tones.”
Debutante
“Crafted in coal black, this elegant yet striking design channels the glamour of the 1930s and the spirited sophistication associated with Cecil Beaton’s Bright Young Things, from Lady Diana Cooper, Georgia Sitwell and Lady Edwina Mountbatten, to Lady Caroline Paget and the Dudley Ward Sisters. Echoing the refined drama seen at Royal Ascot, the piece blends period influence with a timeless, modern classicism suited to 2026.”
“This cream silk pillbox embodies contemporary polish with impeccable tailoring. Clean, compact and sharply considered, it introduces instant structure and quiet authority. Its streamlined elegance reaffirms the enduring power of this millinery classic.”
“‘Aura’ draws upon the dramatic scale and sculptural presence seen in the work of Cecil Beaton, alongside the refined silhouettes of the golden age of couture.
Over 90 metres of wheat straw braid have been meticulously hand-plaited and stitched into structured bands, forming sweeping stripes across an expansive brim. Variations in texture and width create depth and dimension, while the natural golden hue of the straw remains central to the aesthetic. An oversized bow completes the design, nodding to the theatrical embellishment of Beaton’s costume work for My Fair Lady, embracing the bridge from costume to couture.”
“Exploring sculptural movement and graphic line, this reimagined pillbox is inspired by the theatrical portraiture and exaggerated elegance of Cecil Beaton. A deliberately impractical front bow unfurls into looping, calligraphic forms above a clean architectural base that frames the face. Executed in a single saturated tone, the design reads as bold from afar and intricately refined upon closer inspection.”
“A modern take on the classic wide-brim silhouette, this design is crafted in rich chocolate sinamay with clean, architectural lines. Its warm, earthy tone and open weave add depth and subtle texture, while the sweeping brim – worn angled to partially shield the face – remains the focal point. A softly sculpted bow softens the structured form. Handblocked using traditional couture techniques, it balances contemporary Australian scale with understated British elegance – a natural fit for London.”
“An architectural design in burgundy grosgrain, structured on a crin base, Licoricia references historical headwear through a contemporary lens. Originally developed for Maika Monroe in One Hundred Nights of Hero, the hat combines lightweight construction with high drama. A handblocked merry widow veil, carefully hand-dyed for tonal harmony and embellished with vintage sequins, softly frames the face.”
“Inspired by Cecil Beaton’s photographs of the Bright Young Things, this top hat translates visual “noise” into controlled theatrical excess. A layered surface combines diverse textures and techniques, referencing bas-relief to achieve complexity without confusion. Rendered in a single hue to maintain elegance suitable for Royal Ascot, the traditionally masculine top hat is reimagined for a woman, nodding to the gender fluidity and transformative spirit of the 1920s and 30s.
Constructed using entirely contemporary methods,
“A fine straw shallow picture disc adorned with an abundance of silk handmade flowers and cascading lily of the valley. Dyed in an intense chartreuse, the design balances classic refinement with the heightened drama associated with Royal Ascot, while reflecting the romantic influence of Cecil Beaton.”
