Laos, January 5 - 16, 2006

It's been so long since we've seen silly hats or sophisticated hats. In years past the hat was the sign of existence, economic standing, fashion and celebration. They could be seen at the most prestigious events or on a Sunday stroll in the park. There was top hats, fedora hats, hats that made just for a special dress, hats for the races, hats for the wedding, hats for everything.

Now the most popular hat in the world is the baseball hat. Now, is that really a Hat? How we ever lost our dedication to the "Hat", I don't know for I don't remember wearing an "event" hat myself.

Has the art of hats been lost? Forgotten?

May it be that our defintion of a "hat" no longer exists but the concept lives on as it did centuries ago, in Laos. In Laos there is a "hat" for everyone.

There is a "hat" for the shaman. A "hat" for the children. A "hat" for the women. A "hat" for the man. There are special "hats" for special occassions. You can identify a tribe by the "hat".

Each hat is weaved, died, stitched, decorated by hand and with tender care. A hat may contain all the colors of a rainbow or just one, it may depict a design of value, it may contain materials from nature or a feathery pom, pom.
A "hat" is not just an accessory, it is so much more. It is special signature for the occassion, it will bring us good furtune, safe us from evil spirits, shelter us with safety and above all, celebrate our joys.

May we all go buy a real "HAT".

(Pictures to follow)