In September, The Hague is all about Royal September. From September 5 through 15, various festivities will take place throughout the city. De Passage is also joining in on this festive period. The unique hat installation will therefore be on display once again from September 1 through 30.
This unique collection was discovered by chance in 2020 in the vacant space above the former Ladies Paradise hat shop. No fewer than 3,000 hats were stored there. After the shop closed in 1998, the hats had been left behind in the attic.
In 2022, The Hague-based designer Pink Steenvoorden of Einstein Design breathed new life into the collection with the installation *Chapeau!*. Since then, hundreds of hats have seemed to dance playfully through the monumental space of De Passage. The installation is thus not only a striking work of art but also brings a special piece of The Hague’s and De Passage’s history back into the spotlight.
Ladies Paradise was founded in 1961 by Otto De Klijn. At that time, hats were an important part of the wardrobe for festive and chic occasions. The store thus managed to attract a distinguished clientele. Among others, various members of the House of Representatives and the former queens Juliana and Beatrix came there to select a hat.
Anyone wishing to admire this unique collection once again is welcome to visit De Passage throughout the month of September.
