Mountain Hat / Buffalo Hat (2014)
Vivienne Westwood
Mountain Hat / Buffalo Hat 2014
wool
inv. no. 32949
The British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood (1941-2022) is known for the sometimes shocking and often political messages she seeks to convey with her collections. Westwood takes her inspiration from traditional dress forms from the 18th and 19th centuries, for example, combining them with influences from punk. The original design of this hat dates back to 1982, for the autumn/winter collection Nostalgia of Mud Collection. The hat, called both Mountain Hat or Buffalo Hat, was inspired by traditional Peruvian clothing, where women wear small top hats. In late January 2014, a reissue of the Mountain Hat gained prominence in the international media as artist Pharell Williams wore a camel-coloured version to the Grammys ceremony. Williams hat even had its 'own' Twitter account.