Book Review: Fifty Hats that Changed the World & Fifty Bags that Changed the World

These books are two new additions in the sensational ‘Fifty…’ series published by the Conran Octopus in conjunction with London’s Design Museum. The world’s leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form from furniture to graphics, and architecture to industrial design, the Design Museum’s mission is to celebrate, entertain and inform and is working to place design at the centre of contemporary culture. It demonstrates both the richness of the creativity to be found in all forms of design as well as its importance.

In Fifty Hats that Changed the World, we celebrate, with much oohing and ahhing, the creation and rise of the hat, from the humble beanie to the top hat and pork pie. Sure, there are plenty of hats that are ‘missing’ from this line-up, but this is not an encyclopaedia of hats, but rather an artistic curation of headwear that has in some way left its mark on the world of fashion and design.

Each entry is presented on a full page with a full page write up on the history and use of each bonnet, as well as an approximate date of creation. There are iconic pieces, of course – like the beret, cloche and akubra – but there are also hats born of practicality such as the chef’s toque and baseball cap.

In Fifty Bags that Changed the World, we are taken on a pleasure ride of purse perfection with a peek into the history and makings of some pretty covetable sacs. Beginning with Gladstone’s Budget Box (which is historically used by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Britain) and cruising through the carpet bag, saddle bag, paper sack, shopping tote and newsboy bag, among many others, purse-lovers will blissfully devour every page – particularly those dedicated to such memorable creations as the Birkin, Kelly and Fendi’s Baguette.

For the less-die-hard-fashionistas, there’s also fascinating info on such bags as the haversack, sports bag and the humble plastic shopping bag (soon to be an extinct blight on the pages of our history books).

Relatively small in format, but beautifully laid-out and designed (what did you expect?) with that certain retro flair, these books are a must-read for fashion and design lovers.

Also in this series: Fifty Cars that Changed the World, Fifty Dresses that Changed the World, Fifty Shoes that Changed the World, Fifty Chairs that Changed the World.

Title: Fifty Hats that Changed the World / Fifty Bags that Changed the World
Author: London Design Museum
Category: Non Fiction/Design
Publisher: Conran Octopus, A$25
ISBN: 9781840915693 / 9781742371948
RRP: $19.99
Publication Date: March 2011