“As we celebrate the tenth year of the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective, my creative vision was deeply inspired by the timeless elegance and craftsmanship of the couture houses of Paris and the revered tailors of Savile Row. The artistry and tradition of these iconic fashion institutions –where trunk shows and bespoke fittings have taken place for centuries – served as the creative foundation for the 2025 collection.
“The essence of Royal Ascot has a deep-rooted connection to craftsmanship, elegance, and dress codes that have evolved over centuries. Rather than viewing tradition as a constraint, we see it as a foundation from which to innovate. 2025 reflects that philosophy – while my inspiration draws from the past, our execution is designed to feel modern, immersive, and dynamic.
“Drawing from the opulence and refinement of 1950s fashion, I’ve worked with each milliner to establish a monochrome palette as the thematic thread – ranging from dramatic blacks and metallic accents to soft creams and understated neutrals. This carefully curated aesthetic ensures a seamless visual harmony while simultaneously celebrating the individuality and creative expression of each milliner.
“From legendary milliner Stephen Jones OBE to rising talent Eliurpi, this year’s lineup redefines headwear as wearable art, pushing creative boundaries while celebrating millinery as an essential part of contemporary fashion.”
Daniel Fletcher
ALEXANDRA HARPER MILLINERY
Frenzied Moment
“Combining over-the-top drama with the striking ultra-feminine silhouettes of the New Look era, this enormous picture hat is a timeless celebration of Royal Ascot millinery. Understated shades of grey and white come together in a flurry of sustainably sourced ostrich feathers, resting atop an oversized dome-shaped headpiece. From beneath, the wearer beguilingly peers through the lightest and floatiest fringe. Inspired by the glamorous racegoers themselves, this piece pays homage to the unique and specialised genre that is Royal Ascot fashion.”
AWON GOLDING
“Wild Cat is a bold celebration of timeless glamour with a contemporary edge.
Inspired by the classic disc hat shapes of mid-century couture, I wanted to create something that felt both vintage and modern – effortlessly elegant yet undeniably striking. The oversized leopard print disc makes an instant statement, embracing the idea that leopard is a neutral, a power print that never fades from fashion.
To counterbalance the graphic print, I added an explosion of black duchess satin bows, bringing softness, movement, and a touch of drama. ‘Wild Cat’ is for the woman who commands attention with effortless sophistication, embodying confidence, strength, and a little feline mischief.”
Wild Cat
CARRIE JENKINSON
Sarah
“One of my most standout creations to date, this piece is a striking black feather headpiece inspired by vintage Dior designs and 1940s wartime fashion. This exquisite piece embodies the elegance and resilience of the era, channelling the structured silhouettes and dramatic femininity of the time. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the headpiece features an intricate arrangement of over 500 goose feathers, evoking both movement and strength. The design pays homage to the resourceful creativity of wartime millinery, where materials were transformed into statement pieces of resilience and beauty. Echoing Dior’s ‘New Look’ Era, it balances sharp sophistication with a sense of theatrical glamour. Perfect for Royal Ascot or any high-fashion occasion, this creation merges historical inspiration with contemporary couture.”
ELIURPI
Sculptural Hat
“Sculptural hat that plays with transparency, mystery and light that reminds us of the tradition and culture of nature.”
JANE TAYLOR
The Luna
“This hat’s design draws inspiration from the diverse headwear seen at Royal Ascot over the years, blending modern elements with styles from past eras. By studying these varied looks, the design captures both contemporary fashion and historical elegance. A key influence is the traditional English headscarf, often associated with classic countryside dressing. This timeless shape, worn by icons of British fashion, embodies sophistication and heritage. The result is a hat that feels fresh yet rooted in tradition, honouring the evolution of stylish headwear while offering a modern interpretation.”
KATHERINE ELIZABETH
Solar Noir
“A striking fusion of nature and architecture, this hat embodies the timeless elegance of Dior while embracing bold, sculptural form. Created for the 2025 Royal Ascot Collective, the piece is crafted from quills, ostrich feathers, and bamboo silk, reflecting my dedication to organic materials and structural beauty. The dramatic radiating lines, reminiscent of celestial bodies and architectural frameworks, evoke a sense of movement and power. The central silk disc, ruched and adorned with intricate black beading, adds a layer of refinement and texture, nodding to the haute couture traditions of embellishment and craftsmanship. The contrast between soft fabric and rigid quills creates a dynamic interplay between natural fluidity and architectural precision. This piece is testament to my design philosophy – where the organic world and structured design coexist in perfect harmony, capturing the spirit of modern millinery with a couture edge.”
LISA TAN
Aurelia
“The ‘Aurelia’ takes direct inspiration from ‘Crowning a Decade of Style’ – 2025 marking the 10-year anniversary of the Collective – using my signature sinamay petal crown as the starting point and developing it into the most intricate, elevated version possible. 49 sinamay petals have been painstakingly handrolled and hand-sculpted into shape, over the course of almost as many hours as there are petals. The petals are hand-stitched to form layers of swirling halos, suspended by wire into a coolie silhouette which appears to float above the head. Crafted in a combination of plain ivory sinamay and gold lurex-woven sinamay, the colour palette complements and offers a regal touch to Daniel Fletcher’s sartorial tailoring.”
HELIX
Merve Bayindir
“This hat draws inspiration from the sweeping elegance of Art Nouveau-style staircases, reflecting my deep appreciation for vintage aesthetics: spiral staircases’ graceful curvature and endless elegance. The sweeping, modern sculptural form generates a sense of upward motion and ascension, symbolising growth, progress, and pursuing higher ideals. The fluid lines and dynamic structure mirror the architectural beauty found in grand interiors, where light and shadow dance across. This piece aims to capture that same interplay, creating a sense of movement through sophisticated millinery form.”
SALLY-ANN PROVAN
La Gambade – ‘The Frolic’
“Royal Ascot is such a special event that deserves the utmost in elegance, it brings out a sense of joy and exuberance through dramatic hats and headwear and encourages you to be bold, and a fabulous hat allows you to elevate your outfit from the lovely to the sublime. La Gambade – ‘The Frolic’ is a playful expression of flowers caught on a breeze, dancing and shedding petals as they move. It’s a play with shadow and form exaggerated through a contrasting monochrome colour palette which subtly changes from black through to ivory. La Gambade is made from nearly 70 of my signature origami flowers, all carefully made by hand from duchesse silk and crystal pearls.”
STEPHEN JONES OBE
Glamazon
“This
hat ‘Glamazon’ was inspired by the organic space-age creations I made for French fashion designer Claude Montana in the mid-1980s.”
