Awon Golding.

Praying Mantis, 1950’s Spin Top Toys, and Cymbals.

 Award- winning London based milliner, Awon Golding, most known for her vibrant, innovative hats and headpieces, has created countless looks that have graced the fashion industry worldwide. As she merges her English-Indian roots with her Hong Kong upbringing, her inspiration is derived from her enriched background, leading to her renowned diversity and respected representation in fashion. Her creations have gained international acclaim, as she has worked with many figures throughout her time, ranging from Duchess of Cambridge, to Lady Gaga, and her recent collaboration with Robert Wun further illuminates her solidified role and expertise in millinery.

Robert Wun showcased his 2024 Haute Couture collection at Paris Fashion week, to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the label, naming it Time Today. Throughout the collection, one by one, we’re pulled into his fantasy as he dives into the various aspects that time brings us, through nature and soul. Atop of these creations, we can see the headpieces that add to the visually pleasing garments, and these headpieces were created by none other than, Awon Golding.

Look 8 out of 25 is an all-green ensemble, with layered fabrics ranging from satins, silks and Lycra, completed with a manipulated shoulder accentuation and topped off with one of Golding’s creations. This particular hat drew the eye in and can closely imitate the overall figure of a praying mantis, one comparison we will dive into first.

The wide and circular brim of the hat closely mirrors the shape of the mantis’ head, which is typically flat and triangular when viewed from the front, and as the brim extends outwards, similar to the way the mantis head extends, it provides a widened vision to the eye. In terms of the slight protrusion at the top of the hat, it’s comparison to the head of the mantis can be highlighted in the way that it’s eyes sort of bulge out beyond the mantis’s head.

As we move onto the tilt and angle that the hat was placed, it enhances the way the mantis behaves when its head moves to adjust and listen to its surroundings, highlighting their hunting posture and nature, and further suggesting readiness and alertness, implying a keen, observant nature, quickly ready to pivot and respond to its surrounding environment. This gives the appearance of the garment that the subject is not only in tune with its environment, but distinct in a way that they’re precisely prepared for anything.

The nostalgic charm of this hat’s design is strikingly reminiscent of the classic spin top toys that captured the imaginations of children in the 1950’s. These vintage toys, which have stood the test of time as beloved collectibles, featured a distinct central tip - a crucial element initiating their hypnotic spinning motion. Similarly, the hat’s protruding center acts as a focal point, evoking a sense of balance. Imaging the hat perched on its tip brings to mind the playful nature of these toys, as they spun across the floor with a simple flick. The spin top’s design is both functional and aesthetic, something where the same blend of utility is mirrored in the hat’s overall architecture, where the prominent central tip suggests a point of balance, around which the rest of the design flows naturally.

The interplay between the form and the iconic shape of the spin top toy creates a unique tension - a blend of stillness, energy and curiosity. It’s as if the hat, much like the top, holds within it, the promise of motion, positioned on such a equilibrium that invites interaction and illusion.

Now, Cymbals. Focusing on its broad sweeping brim, this hat immediately brings to mind the intensity of director Damian Chazelle’s 2014 film, Whiplash, as it evokes the imagery of a pair of cymbals frozen mid-clash, reminiscent of the intense drumming sequences. Throughout the movie, as these cymbals are hit with precision and force, the hat’s sharp, angular lines seem to cut through the air, creating a silhouette that demands attention. The brim, curving gracefully like the concave surfaces of the cymbals, captures and manipulates light, making it appear as if it could vibrate with the same energy.

Much like how the cymbals within this film deliver sharp clashes that punctuate the films climatic scenes, this hat embodies a sense of movement and tension, even in its stillness. The contrast between the hat’s rigid structure and the soft, flowing fabric of the dress mirrors the relationship between the solid metal of cymbals and the explosive energy when they release. It’s a piece that frames the face with architectural precision while evolving the same electrifying presence and as the cymbals in the character’s relentless pursuit towards perfection.

The headpieces serve as a symbol of calculated intensity and the fine line between control and chaos. In the film, each cymbal strike is a test of discipline and passion, a powerful moment where precision meets raw emotion. Similarly, this hat’s design capture Golding’s ability to express duality throughout her work. With its wide brim, reminiscent of the cymbals just before they collide, adds to the movement that can be visually felt. The way the brim extends outwards suggests an impending clash, a visual metaphor for the build-up of energy seen in the film.

Milliner Awon Golding's creation in collaboration with Robert Wun’s 2024 Time Today collection brings imagination and visual expression, although some may see the hat and not think much other than… it's a green hat, we can learn to appreciate and value its creation and the brilliance it took to make this by stepping back and making connections that allow us to see the true beauty that lies within the piece, seeking that visual resonance to various objects and creatures.