Philip Treacy, just in case the name doesn’t ring a bell, is the bigtime British milliner who not only designs hats for royal heads, as in Princess Eugenie’s show stopper at the royal wedding last year, but is also responsible for many of the breathtakingly original— not to say weird creations worn by such luminaries as Lady Gaga and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Traditionally, Treacy puts it out there in a splendid, almost costume party way. 

Lady Gaga in her Philip Treacy Grammy hat

Restrained and Floral in Paris

But wait.  Look at his latest hats from this year’s Paris Couture Fashion Week which took place from July 1-5. On day three,  Treacy hats topped the heads of models  showing Didit Hediprasetyo’s Fall 2012  collection.  The theme was floral, the tone was delicate, and while Treacy did not abandon his traditional style, he toned it down enough to produce an integrated fashion statement on the runway.  The result was WOW.

 Here are a couple of examples— small elegant floral fascinators that do not overwhelm the outfit, but that give it that perfect, Philip Treacy finish.  H/t to   Justluxe.com and Voguemoment.com for the pix. 

I don’t know about you, but I find the more restrained elegance of these hats delightful and am hoping to see more of it in future.