An encounter with an elderly lady on an ordinary rainy afternoon in Vancouver sparked some philosophical thoughts on the lifetime of a hat.

Guided by her son, Phyllis – an eighty-five year old hat collector from West Van, dropped by with a very special delivery. Her husband had recently passed on and in the business of downsizing she decided it was time to let go of some old companions. She carried with her two worn but cared for hat boxes from Vanité – a store on Howe Street long gone. What emerged from the box were some well loved hats. She coyly showed me each exquisite piece with a distinct mid-century style. Unusual shapes, weaves, fabrics, feathers and ribbons each holding the secrets to different parts of Phyllis’s life. As she rustled through some tissue papers her eyes watered when she revealed the pink piece worn on the day she was married fifty-seven years ago. It was easy to imagine a giddy twenty-eight year old standing in that forgotten store on Howe Street, plunging into an unknown adventure.

After a moment of nostalgia passed she took in the surroundings and was thrilled to see the display of hats we had, and the bustle of fellow hat lovers browsing for new treasure.

She left happy, having found the place to retire her old friends. I considered our hats around the store, each ready to embark on its own journey with a companion just about to walk through the door.

Edie Hats: A Passion For Hats
The Netloft, Granville Island
Vancouver, BC
(604) 683-4280
www.ediehats.com

Tags: hats nostalgia Vanite vintage