Celebrity hatmaker Philip Treacy defies the pandemic with new museum showing

Philip Treacy, known for his elaborate hat designs, has been described as "perhaps the greatest living milliner". Photo: AFP

Designer Philip Treacy, a haute couture hatmaker to the British royals and American stars, presented his collection in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday saying "we all need entertainment" during a pandemic.

The 53-year-old Irishman, who counts among his clients Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of Cambridge and Madonna, unveiled the collection at Saint Petersburg's Erarta Museum Of Contemporary Art, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this autumn.