A collection of designer hats, which once belonged to one of Britain’s first female GPs, will go under the hammer today at Bonhams in Knowle.
The collection, owned by the late Doreen Mary Tillotson, includes hats by the renowned designers, Christian Dior, Graham Smith and Philip Somerville – one of the Queen’s appointed milliners.
Eleanor Keene, head of costumes and textiles at Bonhams, said: “I was overwhelmed with the size and the care taken in building this hat collection.
“Within each of the hatboxes, there is not just a hat but also a number of co-ordinating silk scarves and sometimes cashmere jumpers. This was a lady of style and great organisational skills.”
Many of the hats, housed in individual hat boxes, will be sold with co-ordinating scarves, cardigans and cashmere tops, some with designer labels – estimates range from £200-£300.
The sale will also include an 18th century wide French open court robe – estimated at £8,000-£12,000.
The sale takes place at 11am.
