To mark the first day of Royal Ascot, where the dress code famously specifies that ladies must wear hats, and because hats are back in a big way for fall, we thought we'd check in with one of the new breed of British milliners, Noel Stewart, on the current state of affairs of the head. Trained at the Royal College of Art, Stewart honed his skills in the couture salon at Christian Dior, did a stint working for the Queen's hatter, and collaborates regularly with fellow hot young things Erdem, Roksanda Ilincic, and Marios Schwab. Did we mention he has strong opinions on hat wearing?

Is there a place for millinery in 2007?
There will always be a place for millinery in the wardrobe of men and women with taste and style. It's an extension of individual style and personality. The innovators of the fashion industry—Galliano, Marc Jacobs, Comme des Garçons, Gaultier, Prada—have consistently used millinery to emphasize their work.

What's your advice for people who don't usually wear hats?
Like with heels, you need a little time to adjust to what a hat can do for you. Relax, have fun, and enjoy the many different ways a hat can make you feel.

How do you work a hat into your outfit?
When you see a hat in a store, take some time to play with it for a few minutes. This luxurious experience has been lost, but it used to be second nature to most women, like wearing a good pair of shoes is now.

What are your hat suggestions for Ascot?
I'm suggesting that ladies go for largish, simple and graphic brims in contemporary fabrics—a strong but subtle and sophisticated statement.

—Nancy MacDonell

Photo: Courtesy of Noel Stewart