CA4LA is a gem of a hat shop, hidden down a side street in East London. Japanese owned, the shop itself is stripped back to the bare bricks with old wooden shop fittings, chandeliers, shabby antique display cases and shelves made out of ancient doors.
The hats are all designed in Japan. From cossack-style fur to fascinators and the crazy inbetween: silver straw hats with dotted veils and tiny top hats with coloured feathers. (Click to see details on picture above.) Oh, and a stuffed boar wearing a leather top hat embroidered with the face of a Japanese dude wearing shades.
But there are everyday felt porkpies and trilbies for those feeling less adventurous. The perfectly hatted and seemingly straight out of Shinjuku staff are as helpful as can be, padding out bands or stretching, to get you the best fit.
To counter the February weather (drizzle, grey, sleet, drizzle) and with a fringe to protect, I decided to invest. LOVING my new hat. I don't CARE if it keeps raining, now.
What an interesting shop. And that boar spoaring the funky top hat is a hoot. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewhat a fabulous splash of colour that hat is!
ReplyDeleteLove your new hat too. I have one in the same colour living at my mum's house. My son is mad over hats and I keep meaning to post a few pictures of him in them, but keep forgetting! That hat shop looks a real treasure, so unique and cool.
ReplyDeletelove you blog - it's very warm and really interesting! (love the hat too)
ReplyDeletegood luck!
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I had no idea there was one of their shops in London, I had meant to go to the one in Shibuya in Tokyo but never got around to it. What a great hat!
ReplyDeleteGreat hat. I'm jealous. I don't look good in hats because my head's the size of a pea.
ReplyDeleteGreat hat - you so suit hats! Another place for me to visit when I'm next down.
ReplyDeleteLove the hat. I've been itching to purchase a new one too. I might have to have a rummage.
ReplyDeleteI love your hat! What a great colour. I knew the brand but had no idea they have a store of their own in London. will definitely visit soon!
ReplyDeletewhat a relief....finally I have founded somebody my age! ; )
ReplyDeletenice pics
Olivia
http://longuette.blogspot.com
What a fantastic shop! Not much in Oxford in the way of desirable millinery, sadly, but in New York there's a wonderful shop called A Village Scandal that I go to for beautiful felt cloches.
ReplyDeleteSeems to be a cute place!!! I need to come to visit London again!
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous! I feel I am too short to wear hats - I have tried them on but seem to end up peering out from underneath.
ReplyDeleteLoving the colour!
while we may be on separate islands, you and I are on the *exact* same page! Your chapeau is indeed tres charmante, and the color perfect for you.
ReplyDeleteJust yesterday I picked up a custom made cloche from SoHo's The Hat Shop. I, too, posted a pic of the recent acquisition. After seeing you so playful, I wish I had the chutzpah to model mine!
Oooh that's a hat!! Gorgeous :) And you can't bear a boar wearing a hat either!! ;)
ReplyDeletethat place looks great- I had no idea about it so thanks very much!
ReplyDeleteLOVE. NEED.
ReplyDeleteFound your blog via another tweeter - really liking it.
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to visit that Hat Shop for ages - I love the look of what they have in there. Your hat looks ace btw.
Lady Vélo.
More pics of you please, you are totally rocking! Lots of love xxx
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