Tuesday, October 5, 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