The publishing house Éditions 7L came back to life in 2023 with the aim of publishing works that reflect and celebrate the eclectic spirit of their founder, Karl Lagerfeld, with forms and subjects ranging from literature and photography to fashion and design.
A book that unfolds around a single word: headwear. An unusual, compound word, this broad title opens the doors to the history of the hat, to its forms and functions, to the importance of a vital accessory.
As part of the 7L's Correspondances program, Katrien de Blauwer explored the collection of books and magazines of Karl Lagerfeld's library at 7L, and reinterpreted it through a new series of photomontages in which the images serve as both a reference and a mirror.
A journey through the twists and turns of the history of the hat, via a rich and eclectic collection of images where different styles and eras coexist—from the headgear of Greek laborers to the bell hats of the Roaring Twenties, and from Phrygian caps to modern baseball caps.
