World’s Most Expensive Hats

Chapeau d’Amour

Modeled by actress Alicia Witt at Christie’s in London, “Chapeau d’Amour”—the “hat of love”—was created by celebrity couture designer Louis Mariette. Made of woven platinum and covered in stunning diamonds, the hat was inspired by ivy and bluebells.
The hat is valued at $2.7 million, making it the most expensive hat in the world. Unfortunately for hat collectors everywhere, Chapeau d’Amour is not for sale.
If you’re looking for an expensive hat that is for sale, check out Bonhams & Butterfields in San Francisco on November 10th, 2010, where the “Nature of Opals” auction will see the “Deep Blue Sea” hat go to the highest bidder.

Deep Blue Sea

The hat is a collaboration between Australian hatmaker Ann Maree Willett and miners Vicki and Peter Drackett. Made with hand blocked Australian felt, the hat is decorated with feathers and twenty-six opals mined from Lightning Ridge, Australia. The opals were carved by Daniela L’Abbate and Christine Roussel and set in sterling silver and 18k gold by Gerd Gerold Schulz.
Lightning Ridge has the world’s largest opal deposits, and the opal is Australia’s national gemstone.
“Deep Blue Sea” is expected to fetch between $150,000 and $200,000.