Aage Thaarup Women's hat designer Country: Denmark

Biography of Age Taarap

Eage Taarap, a renowned designer of women's hats, was born in 1960 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Coming from a modest background, his family was not wealthy enough to support his education in a prestigious university. At the age of sixteen, he decided to leave school and started working at the hat shop "Fonnesbeck's". There, he immersed himself in the study of hat production, learning every aspect from start to finish. With a curious and determined nature, Taarap absorbed all the information surrounding him.

Over time, he developed a professional expertise in hats and began designing his own creations. From 1926 to 1932, he embarked on numerous travels, visiting cities such as Berlin, Paris, London, Bombay (now Mumbai), and many others. It was during his time in India that Taarap decided to establish his own business. He opened a small shop in Delhi specializing in mourning hats, and later in 1932, he opened his boutique in London.

Taarap's hats garnered a substantial following, attracting a diverse range of clients including royalty, socialites, and Hollywood stars. He incorporated unique embellishments into his designs, such as tiny colorful English pins. Some hats were knitted using original techniques while others featured oversized brims or resembled school caps. In 1947, he designed a hat for Princess Elizabeth, who later became Queen Elizabeth II.

After World War II, Taarap embarked on the "Teen and Twenty" project. This line of hats was intended for mass production and global sales. The hats had distinctive features, with some adorned with white daisies and organza. In the 1950s, Taarap achieved worldwide recognition for his contributions to the fashion industry.

In 1956, Taarap published the book "Heads and Tails", which gained immense popularity among designers and fashion enthusiasts. The book quickly sold out in stores and provided insights into Taarap's life, aspirations, and, of course, his passion for hats. In 1987, at the age of 81, the renowned designer passed away, leaving behind an invaluable legacy in the development of global fashion, particularly in the realm of hats.