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There are simple inexpensive hats that keep your head warm in winter and shield you from the summer sun. But there are also hats designed by some of the world’s most illustrious designers such as Sir Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy, both based in London, that command serious dosh. The Ship by Philip Treacy caught the eye of singer Michael Jackson.

Credit: Kai Cam Narin These artistic creations can reach several thousands of dollars, or in the case of these milliners, pounds. It was reported in Colleen Egan’s book on Treacy that the singer Michael Jackson was prepared to part with $US25,000 ($37,000) for ‘The Ship’ in 1995, a sculptural hat crowned with a model of a period sailing vessel. According to Treacy, “I only had one of these hats and even though I loved Michael Jackson, I just didn’t want it to go off to Neverland.



” Christine Barro, owner of Christine on Collins at the top of Collins Street, sells Treacy’s hats exclusively in Australia. In her plush and richly endowed boutique which extends over two levels, there’s an extensive array of hats, many by Treacy. Some of them hover around the $5000 mark, such as one trilby in a reptilian fabric.

Barro purchased a number of Treacy’s hats for the Georges department store, located just a couple of blocks away, then priced considerably less. “From what I recall, they were priced in the hundreds rather in the thousands,” says Barro. As the Georges buyer for jewellery, bags and scarves, her role extended .

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