Royal Ascot and the British Hat Guild create bespoke rainbow hats to be auctioned off for COVID-19 relief

June 18, 2020

By Heather Cichowski

Royal Ascot is taking place behind closed doors this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. But there are still many ways people are celebrating and getting involved in Royal Ascot 2020. One of the brilliant ways is with the #StyledWithThanks fundraising campaign.

Britain’s top milliners, including some of Duchess Kate's favourite designers, have joined forces with Royal Ascot to produce 44 bespoke rainbow hats that will be auctioned off to support four charities focused on COVID-19 relief: The National Emergencies Trust Relief Fund, NHS Charities Together, The Care Workers Charity and the Berkshire Community Foundation Coronavirus Fund.

The auction runs the length of Ascot, from June 16 to June 20, and it ties in with #StyledWithThanks campaign, which encourages those participating in the races at home to dress up, donate £5 and use the hashtag on their social media channels when showing off their most stylish Royal Ascot at Home outfits.

Scroll through the gallery (or click through if you're on desktop) to see more of the stunning rainbow hats from Royal Ascot and British Hat Guild's #StyledWithThanks COVID-19 auction and to hear about some of the designers' inspirations for the recreations.

Photos: © Royal Ascot

Sally-Ann Provan

"It was lovely to be asked to make a rainbow-themed hat for the auction – especially when I heard which charities would be receiving the money raised," Sally-Ann Provan told HELLO! Canada.

"It gave me an opportunity to work with a different colour palette and gave me a positive creative focus.

"I think this campaign has really brought the millinery world together."
She continued, "For me it was very important to continue to try and support those working hard caring for others on the front line, and those badly affected by the virus.

"I’ve been part of an army of sewers up and down the U.K. making scrubs hats for medical staff during lock-down, doing that, and taking part in the Royal Ascot Styled With Thanks Auction, have felt like really positive ways to support others."

Photo: © Sally-Ann Provan/Royal Ascot

"I used my signature origami flowers and worked them in toning rainbow colours – I wanted the flowers to look like they were floating, or had just rested on the hat," the designer explained of her finished hat.
<p>She continued, "I wanted the hat to have a fresh, joyous feel to it, the rainbow is such a symbol of hope that it seemed natural to call it ‘Hope Blooms’."
<p>Photo: © Sally-Ann Provan/Royal Ascot

<h2>Juliette Botterill</h2>
<p>"I was delighted to take part in the Royal Ascot millinery auction for the ‘Styled With Thanks’ fundraising campaign," London-based milliner <a href="https://juliettemillinery.co.uk/">Juliette Botterill</a> said.
<p>"The design brief was to create a ‘rainbow themed’ hat. My design ‘Rainbow Teardrop’ consists of a silk-covered teardrop base, adorned with a silk abaca bow, hand dyed to represent the colours of the rainbow," she explained.
<p>Photo: © Juliette Botterill/Royal Ascot

<p>"It was a privilege to make a hat for such a wonderful cause and to say a big thank you for the huge effort of the NHS and frontline workers." Juliette stated.
<p>Photo: © Juliette Botterill/Royal Ascot

<h2>Julian Garner Headwear</h2>
<p>"Our National Health Service is incredibly important to us here in the U.K.," said Headwear Designer for <a href="https://www.juliangarner.com/">Julian Garner</a>, <strong>Chris Garner</strong>.
<p>"To be asked to take part in a campaign, raising money for our carers was a no brainer," Chris continued.
<p>"As someone of the LGBTQIA plus community, our healthcare service goes hand in hand as they have helped so many within the community. It is great to at least try and give back what they have already done, during times before and now as we face this pandemic." <p>Photo: © Julian Garner Headwear/Royal Ascot

Chris continued, "PRIDE, my SS20 collection, was inspired by the flag, a rainbow, a symbol of hope and inspiration since 1978 so designing another rainbow-inspired hat, only made me long for the Happy Days ahead."
<p>Photo: © Julian Garner Headwear/Royal Ascot

<h2>Bee Smith</h2>
<p>"Although I miss the buzz and atmosphere of Royal Ascot, making this hat gave me a little of the excitement of the season," the <a href="https://www.bee-smith.co.uk/">Surrey-based milliner</a> said.
<p>"With my studio shut down for three months, this piece was hand dyed and sewn at my sister’s kitchen table, with a lot of love."
<p>Photo: © Bee Smith/Royal Ascot

"My piece 'rainbow of petals' is made from hand dyed organdie petals, on a wide headband (suitable for the Royal Enclosure)," she continued.
<p>"It is inspired by my <strong>Aunty Wendy</strong>, the lady who taught me to sew and an avid wearer of fabulous hats."
She concluded, "Making this piece felt like hope for the future."
<p>Photo: © Bee Smith/Royal Ascot

<h2>Jane Taylor</h2>
<p>"It was really important for me be involved to thank the front line workers for all their time and effort and for putting themselves in the line of danger," <a href="https://www.janetaylorlondon.com/">Jane Taylor</a> told <em>Hello! Canada</em>.
<p>"It is a really lovely way to raise money for such a great cause.
<p>"I wanted to create a piece that is really wearable but also beautiful and unique, so we can raise as much money as possible for this cause," she elaborated about her design.
<p>"I designed the piece on one of our easiest to wear and most flattering shapes, with a big brim that is perfect for Royal Ascot. I used rainbow hand dyed crin detail to create really beautiful soft tones that will work with lots of beautiful dresses and can be worn for many years to come."
<p>Photo: © Jane Taylor/Royal Ascot

"The design is inspired by the rainbow and all things to do with the sky," said Jane. "I wanted my design to reflect the beautiful flowing lines of the rainbow colours which could be seen as the rainbow reflecting in the clouds.
<p>"That’s why I’ve named it Stratus - which is the name of a cloud.
<p>"At Jane Taylor, we dye pieces bespoke for people to make sure the colourings are perfect for them. In this case, I picked out a range of colours and tones so that it would work for any wearer. It is a very flattering style that will work on different skin tones."
<p>Photo: © Jane Taylor/Royal Ascot

<h2>Camilla Rose</h2>
<p>"It was incredibly important being part of the Royal Ascot millinery auction, primarily to help raise money for four frontline NHS charities but also it is wonderful that Royal Ascot has managed to celebrate the highlight of the British millinery calendar in such a ingenious way," explained <strong>Camilla Robertson</strong> of <a href="http://www.camillarose.co.uk/">Camilla Rose Millinery</a>.
<p>Photo: © Camilla Rose/Royal Ascot

"Designed in line with the nation's use of the rainbows to thank the NHS and key workers, the rainbow palm reflects light through colourful acetate palm fronds, a bright symbol of hope."
<p>Photo: © Camilla Rose/Royal Ascot

<h2>Sarah Cant</h2>
<p>"It has been a great pleasure to be part of the Styled With Thanks charity auction for Royal Ascot in collaboration with the British Hat Guild," stated <a href="https://sarahcant.co.uk/">Sarah Cant</a>.
"I am honoured to stand alongside the best of British millinery in supporting the frontline charities."
<p>"My headpiece is a crisp white beret trimmed with a rainbow ombré-dyed bow, made entirely by hand using couture techniques. It is designed to capture both the vibrancy of the rainbow colours and also the lightness and fun of dressing up for Royal Ascot."
<p>Photo: © Sarah Cant/Royal Ascot

The couture milliner continued, "I am looking forward to sending the headpiece, with the original design sketch, to the winner of the auction, and possibly even to seeing the hat worn to Royal Ascot 2021."
<p>Photo: © Sarah Cant/Royal Ascot

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