Gertrude Shilling: The Mascot Of Ascot
I'll keep this one short and sweet.
I’ve known about Gertrude and David Shilling for all of seventy two hours and needless to say I am obsessed. There are few women whose fashion daring knows no bounds - and Gertrude must be recognized among them.
And without her son David, the artist and visionary milliner behind all of the hats and outfits, there would be none of it!
Considered now to be one of the greatest milliners and hat-makers in the world, the hats David designed for Gertrude to be worn at Royal Ascot in the 60s, 70s, 80s+ were anywhere from over the top, to avant garde, to just plain insane! Few have the stones to rock the hats Gertrude rocked. And I love her for it.
David Shilling’s work + website.
Some of my favorite Gertrude + David Shilling fashion favorites:
Gertrude & David, 1968.
1971
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Gertrude in 1968.
Source for post images.
Gertrude & David, 1972.
1987
What do you think?! How amazing and ridiculous are they? I mean, just look at the guy’s face in this last one here!
Gertrude knew what’s up: you only live once, so who cares?
Go forth, and may you be as fabulously irreverent as Gertrude Shilling in a leopard print giraffe hat.
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