Mad Hatters’ Party

Delhi-based designer Nida Mahmood extends her love for all things kitschy to headgear. There are hats with street typography on them,some others are made from scraps and signboards. Meanwhile,Mumbai-based Kunal Rawal has worked on a range of trucker hats,military berets,cane fedoras and even quirky Nehru cap. Ritu Beri dresses up the swish set in hats made of French lace and a hint of embroidery,while designer Sanchita Ajjampur’s resort wear comes replete with chic floppy hats.

So when did hats become fashionable? “Earlier,I could make a very clear distinction between fashionable hats—the off-beat ones I showed on the ramp and which didn’t sell much—and functional ones,like the trucker hats,which have a steady market round the year. In the last couple of years though,there’s been a change in the scene. The Mumbai races,and polo matches here and in Delhi have seen the ladies sport headgear similar to those worn at the Derby or the Ascot,” says Rawal,whose headgear is priced between Rs 1,800 and Rs 12,000.

Even if socialites like Natasha and Delna Poonawala have made quirky hats chic during Mumbai’s racing season,the market remains niche. In Delhi,Chauhan says the busiest time has been autumn-winter,when the city comes alive with parties. “People hosting theme parties come looking for something funky and offbeat. In fact,those are the times the installation pieces work too,” he says.