Forms, figures or materials were totaly free for all entrants. On the other hand, hats were expected to respect strict criteria : theme, combing of the hat -" le coiffant ", technical and esthetical qualities…

Some entrants have interpreted the year's theme with a symbolic meaning. Some others have directly worked on objects and material. Hats result sometimes in a very glamourous interplay of recycling. New materials are even born.

The Contest has become a recognised event for hat desigenrs. Thanks to famous firms of fashion, luxe and fabrics for their support : the Maison Hermès for exemple, or many others structures (SEMA - Société d'Encouragement aux Métiers d'Art - Chambre des Métiers de la Loire) or club (Club Chapeau Passion).

They all give with generosity (money, raw materials, professional tools, etc.). Nevertheless, the Contest succeed in because of the Hat, which makes people dream and motivated.

So, we received 176 hats, from 16 countries all over the world : European Union of course, but Tcheka Republic, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia…

The contest jury comprised : Philippe MOLINS from MOTSCH-HERMES, Laurence MORIN - milliner for Jean-Paul GAULTIER, Jean DUMONTHIER - Président of Chapeau Passion CLUB, Patrick LÉONARD from Société d'Encouragement aux Métiers d'Art (S.E.M.A.), Monique CHABOT journalist for FIGARO MAGAZINE, Mr PORTENEUVE from the Chambre des Métiers de la loire, and Mrs CHAUVE-DESAGE - Présidente of l'Atelier-Musée du Chapeau association.

12 hats received awards.

"A toutes mains utiles" : hat made of films from sweets and yoghurts, stitched together.

Fanny VIOLLET has studied History of Art and the Visual Arts. For textile, she says that she is a self-educated worker. She has collaborated many times with JC de Castelbajac, and she teachs creativ machine embroidery. She is french and lives in Paris.

"Plastic box" : hat (calotte) made of white plastic cut out white plastic cans.

Roger DE GREEF is belgian hairdresser and wigmaker. He went on a training course in the Hat Workshop-Museum. He is now a milliner for the Theater of Toulon (France).

"Hatline" : hat made of many little books made of newspaper, ans stitched together on a pill-box. An implied reference to the sixties.

Birgit KINDER has been a milliner since 1989. She has worked for theater, and she is now contemplating going to have is own shop. She is austrian and lives in Vienne.

"Le papillon" : hat made of traditionnal felt with incrustations, for a symbolic interpretation of the theme "metamorphosis".

Hiroko FUKUDA is a student in Mod'Art International, in Paris. She is a japanese girl who lives in Tokyo.

"Rêve cosmique" : hat made of dark blue satin, and recycled pieces of metal canette.

Yuko IMAMURA is unknown from the french milliners. She is japanese and lives in Fukuoka-Shi.

"Jardin exotique d'un clochard" : hat made of many textiles, embroidered and decorated with flowers of plastic bottle.

Fides CAVAN has studied stylism in tha Academy of Anvers (Belgium). Since 2000, she has been a freelancer : she makes stylism creations and hats. She is belgian and lives in Montignies-sur-Sambre.

OTHERS PRIZES

6th prize	7th prize	8th prize
9th prize	prize "Chambre des métiers"	10th prize

AWARD WINNINGS 2003