Chapeau Text & photos by Elly Stemerdink
From 17 to 19 July 2026, the town of Caussade in south-west France hosted the 34th edition of Les Estivales du Chapeau. The annual festival once again brought together milliners, suppliers and hat enthusiasts for three days filled with demonstrations, workshops, exhibitions, the International Hat Competition and its hat show, with the entire town embracing the event.
After two years in temporary locations due to the renovation of the town’s central square, the Milliners’ Village returned to its traditional location in the heart of Caussade. However, as only a few of the mature trees remained following the redevelopment, exhibitors had considerably less natural shade than in previous years. With daytime temperatures well above 30 degrees Celsius, the heat posed one of the biggest challenges the festival, according to Bénédicte Montant, president of the event. To address this, misting systems and shade structures were build in between the stands in the milliner’s village. Despite these challenges, the
organisers were pleased with the atmosphere throughout the weekend and with the positive response to the new themed International Hat Competition. For next year’s edition, the organisers
Les Estivales du Caussade, France
Veronika Lazarenko
(UK) travelled to Caussade to exhibit at Les Estivales du Chapeau for the first time, having discovered the festival through The Hat Magazine. “I decided to go full on,” she said. “I entered the competition, booked a stand and wanted to step outside my comfort zone.” Particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of the visitors, she added: “I’m very impressed that people here are so passionate about hats. Everyone has been so kind, and I’m having such a good time.” Following her positive experience, she hopes to return for future editions of the festival.
plan to introduce additional shaded areas and cooling measures, while the themed competition will return following its successful debut.
More information
www.chapeau-caussade.fashion
18 | the hat magazine #110
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