What can we say? It was a day to remember.
Two weeks ago, Toronto turned a new page in its cultural diary by hosting the city’s very first edition of the World Hat Walk — a vibrant celebration of hats as symbols of creativity, self-expression, and cross-cultural dialogue.
Downtown streets came alive as hundreds of participants paraded in headwear of every kind: whimsical, elegant, traditional, ironic. The result? A dazzling explosion of color, texture, and personality that transformed the city into an open-air runway.
Adding even more flair to the occasion were two leading figures from Canada’s millinery scene. Internationally acclaimed hat designer David Dunkley, the only milliner in Toronto — and perhaps in all of Canada — offering such a refined and exclusive experience, brought his signature elegance to the event. A former apprentice to the late Royal Milliner of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Dunkley now owns a high-end boutique and represents a perfect bridge between aristocratic tradition and modern tailoring innovation.
Ranelle Larocque, winner of the second edition of The Queen’s Hat and celebrated for her bold, contemporary style, brought a fresh, personal, and daring vision of modern millinery to the walk — captivating the crowd with her originality and poise.
The World Hat Walk is part of a larger international initiative founded and curated by Becky Weaver and Georgina Abbot, the creative minds behind the iconic London Hat Week. Through their vision and passion, what began as a simple walk has become a global celebration of the hat and its rich history.
But the World Hat Walk wasn’t just an opportunity to see the work of top-tier professionals up close — above all, it was a joyful, inclusive gathering where everyone could express their identity, culture, and creativity through a single, powerful accessory.
“The World Hat Walk is much more than a parade — it’s a social and creative statement,” noted local organizers. “In a time when individuality and inclusion are at the heart of global conversation, wearing a hat can become a poetic act.”
With this memorable debut, Toronto officially joins the international World Hat Walk network, connecting cities around the globe through a shared mission: celebrating diversity through the language of fashion, art, and design.
A first edition that made a lasting impression — and left everyone eager to don their next hat.
Photo credit: Frank J – Doitwithlight (instagram)
Photo credit: Leanne Elnicki
