Piers Atkinson launched his first collection of handmade headpieces in 2008, the nine-piece collection contained elements of his roots; from fashion and theatre to sculpture and the wild, energetic excesses of London club scene.

Having grown up in a household of hats (his mother worked as a theatrical milliner for the English National Opera) Piers moved to London as a graduate of photography in the mid-nineties. He helped out at that year’s Alternative Miss World, the brainchild of artist Andrew Logan, now a friend and occasional collaborator: ‘He helped me see the rich possibilities of the just-do-it attitude.’ In 1999, Piers started with iconic fashion designer Zandra Rhodes. ‘She instantly cured my conservative approach to colour!’ says Piers, and his link between art and fashion was forged. Now Piers’ designs are exhibited in galleries and museums as works of art, most notably in the V&A’s ‘Hats: an Anthology by Stephen Jones’ and the Fashion Museum of Bath’s ‘A History of Fashion in 100 Objects’.

Every design keeps to the brand’s design aesthetic which sits on the knife edge between classic sophistication and outré wit, embodied by the now-famous, classic Hyper-Cherry headpiece first worn by Rihanna then Lady Gaga, to Miley Cyrus and Doja Cat.

Each piece is created by Atkinson and his team of craftspeople in his East London studio, using couture skills ranging from leatherwork, embroidery and traditional hat-blocking to gold leafing, prop-making and hand-beading. His collections are known for their wit, the unexpected materials and the drama. Piers collaborates with runway designers, including Ashish, Carolina Herrera, Christopher John Rogers and Zandra Rhodes, for their Fashion Week presentations.

The glamorous and sophisticated nature of Piers’ designs are de rigueur at events and parties and have been seen on stylish women (and some men!) around the world from Rio to Tokyo, from London to LA. He has dressed such icons as Andrea Dellal, Andrea Risborough, Beyonce, Cate Blanchett, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Saunders, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Moss, Kylie Jenner, Kris Jenner, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Saweetie, Dame Joan Collins and Dame Zandra Rhodes. The Princesses of York and Dame Shirley Bassey have worn his hats at Ascot, and Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla have worn his masks as part of their celebrations as presidents of The Elephant Family charity, with whom Piers has worked for ten years.

Piers’ creations regularly appear in the pages of Vogue, Italian Vogue, Love, VCR Fashion Book, V Magazine, Tatler and the London broadsheets.