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Tuesday 5 October 2010

Hats Galore

The Pearlie's originated in 1875 (or thereabouts) and where costersmongers, (the name given to fruit and vegetable vendors). They decorated their suits with a row of pearl buttons, said to have arrived on a ship from Japan. As time has gone by the costumes have become more elaborate each with a story to tell.
A costume today can have as many as 30,000 buttons sewn on to and weigh 30kg.

At the moment it is the harvest festival time with several festivals if you want to catch a glimpse of the glamour. Next festival is at St Paul's on 10 October.


Now for another hat. The red hat where prize winners are selected for competitions on aglimpseoflondon.
The winner of Luke's album
and then some
is Angie.
Thanks everyone who entered. If you're in London tonight remember you can catch Luke at the legendary Catweazle club's performance space at the North London Tavern

13 comments:

jabblog said...

Wonderful costumes - the Pearly families raise a lot of money for charity.

Rune Eide said...

My slouch hat will not win any contest here:

Angie said...

Whoopie!!!! And thank you.
Love the costumes.

Stefan Jansson said...

30 Kilo, that is quite a workout!

Caroline said...

Great traditions

Luis Gomez said...

Hats are great! Wonderful post.

PepeB said...

A very creative way to dress! I have never heard of it before - or seen it, thanks for showing.

Ruela said...

I want a hat like these ;)

Anna said...

They sound quite heavy. Yet they look like they are having so much fun.

Francisca said...

Terrific shot... Nice to see something new... to me, that is!

Irredento Urbanita said...

The evolution of those costumes is part of the history of that nice town. Big details in your photo.

Regards

Valery

[Barcelona Daily Photo]

Unknown said...

Great portrait!

stromsjo said...

Given my nonexistent hairstyle I should get myself a hat one of these days!

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