The biggest talking point of this year’s Grammys was not a wardrobe malfunction but a wardrobe win: Pharrell Williams’ comically gigantic hat. Within minutes of its red carpet debut, the headpiece had drawn comparisons with Park Rangers, Elmer Fudd and Dr Seuss’ Cat in The Hat and had inspired hundreds of memes and Twitter accounts, proving that Williams understands exactly how to get attention the 2014 way.
Photograph: Christopher Polk/Getty Images Photograph: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
By the time the hat had accompanied Williams to another event the following day (The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles) its backstory was uncovered. ‘It’s a Vivienne Westwood Buffalo hat from when she was with Malcolm McLaren,’ Williams told the Hollywood Reporter. ‘It’s not vintage – I would’ve been really stylin’ if I had one from the 80s.’
Photograph: PictureGroup/REX Photograph: PictureGroup/REX
Excellent news: the hat is friends with Diddy.
Photograph: Pharrell Williams/Twitter Photograph: Pharrell Williams/Twitter
A grey version is spotted in London, on the way to an interview with Radio 1. The modest porkpie cap worn by Williams’ wife Helen Lasichanh, left, puts the gargantuan chapeau into perspective.
Photograph: REX Photograph: REX
The hat tries to make a difference during New York fashion week, helping promote a collection of recycled denim. And yet male model Tyson Beckford is displeased. He tells The Cut: ‘I’m not a fan … Me and my boy, we were having a discussion in the Jeep on the way up here and we were saying: “I hope he ain’t got on that hat.” It’s not conducive to fashion.’ Not conducive to fashion? That’s a serious style diss.
Photograph: Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com/REX Photograph: Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com/REX
Undeterred, the hat attends the official lunch for Oscar nominees, recovering from Beckford’s rejection by winning over Lupita Nyong’o and making Meryl Streep swoon.
Photograph: Lupita Nyong'o/Instagram Photograph: Lupita Nyong'o/Instagram
The hat also ensures Pharrell gets the coveted middle back row slot for the nominees’ group photograph. Let’s hope for more hat tricks on Oscar night.
Photograph: Alberto E Rodriguez/Getty Images Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
