Kate Middleton Named Hat Person of the Year

Congratulations to the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, who was named Hat Person of the Year by The Headwear Association (THA). In an online poll Kate received a an overwhelming 91% of the vote, beating Rachel Zoe (4%),
Ne-Yo (2%), Justin Timberlake (1%), Bruno Mars (1%) and Charlie Sheen (1%).

The Headwear Association (THA) was founded in 1908 and is the oldest fashion trade association in the industry. The THA's mission is to promote hat wearing and the headwear industry throughout the world and foster goodwill and fellowship among those engaged in the headwear industry.

This is the third annual Hat Person of the Year award, previous winners include Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt.

We present some of the Duchess's most extraordinary hat fashions of 2011. Our favorites are the stunning velvet cabernet hat by Rose Cory that Kate wore this Christmas, and the exquisite maple leaf headpiece by London milliner Sylvia Fletcher of Lock & Co., established in 1676, worn on her visit to Canada.

Hats off to you Kate, your style is impeccable.



Kate was seen wearing this amazing headpiece at a Citizenship Ceremony in Quebec, Canada last July. The red, maple leaf headpiece was designed and made by Sylvia Fletcher of London milliners Lock & Co, established since 1676. Photo credit: Paul Chiasson of The Canadian Press.




On Christmas Day, Kate attended church service at Sardingham with the Royal family wearing this stunning mulled wine colored hat. The hat was designed by Jane Corbett, who was trained by Rose Cory, the Queen Mother’s milliner. Photo credit: Getty Images.




The Duchess of Cambridge looked gorgeous in this Vivien Sheriff fasincator as she attended the RNLI launch last February. Photo credit: Mark Stewart/Camera Press/Retna.



Kate was seen at a friend’s wedding last January in this chic ensemble. She wore a black ISSA dress and Libélula velvet jacket. She topped off the outfit with a black felt beret from Whiteley Fischer, a British hat manufacturer who has been in the millinery trade for more than 60 years. Photo credit: Jonathan Pow.



Not only does Kate have excellent taste in selecting her headwear, but she also dabbles in designing! Seen here at the wedding of Zara Phillips last July, Kate wore a hat she actually helped milliner Gina Foster design! Photo credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.




Kate truly looks regal in this blue outfit she wore to the Duke of Edinburgh's 90th Birthday at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel last June. The hat she wore was another designed by Jane Corbett, who was trained by Rose Cory, the Queen Mother’s milliner. Her perwinkle blue brocade coat is by Jane Troughton. Photo credit: Robin Bell.



The Duchess was seen here wearing a dove grey hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan (also milliner to the Queen) at the Order of the Garter service in Windsor last June. She wore this hat with a dress and coat by Katherine Hooker. Photo credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe.



Kate looked military chic at Victoria Barracks in Windsor last June to present medals to members of the Irish Guard. She wore a McQueen military style coat dress and topped it off with another hat by London-based milliner, Rachel Trevor-Morgan, who is also hat-maker to the Queen. Photo credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images.



Yeehaw! Last Summer, Kate and husband William visited Calgary Canada for some traditional festivities, including the Calgary Stampede. In true Calgary tradition, Kate was "white hatted" and presented with this beautiful white rabbit fur cowboy hat by the local milliners, Smithbilt. Photo credit: Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press.