THE STORY BEHIND THE DATE
A Date Chosen For The Love Of Hats
In Mandarin, the sound of “920” echoes an affectionate phrase meaning “just love you.” Jeffrey Sun chose the date as an expression of his lifelong love for hats—and as an invitation for others to discover what headwear can mean.
Since its first edition in 2014, the festival has created a meeting place for designers, makers, collectors, cultural institutions, industry professionals and people who simply love wearing hats.
“A hat carries design, craftsmanship and culture. The 920 Hat Festival gives the people who create, preserve and enjoy headwear a stage of their own.”
Jeffrey Sun
Initiator of the 920 Hat Festival
Chairman of Foremost Hat
A Festival That Continues To Evolve
From its beginnings in Nantong to editions in Shanghai and Beijing, the 920 Hat Festival has grown through fashion, craft, cultural exchange and public participation. Each edition has explored a different way of bringing the world of hats to life.
2014: Nantong, Where It Began
The first 920 Hat Festival brought designers, industry professionals and hat lovers together for exhibitions, runway presentations and cultural activities. It also marked the public opening of the Foremost Hat Museum, establishing a lasting connection between the festival, headwear heritage and public education.
2015: Shanghai, Headwear Meets The Fashion City
Headwear Meets the Fashion City Moving to Shanghai, the second edition placed hats within a wider fashion conversation. International designers, creative professionals and hat lovers explored how headwear can shape personal style, visual identity and contemporary design.
2018: Beijing, Craft Without Borders
The third edition explored the cultural journey of the Panama hat and the craftsmanship of Ecuadorian toquilla straw. Runway presentations, publishing and international exchange connected material heritage with contemporary headwear design.
2023: Nantong, Culture, Industry And The Future
Returning to Nantong, the fourth edition brought together headwear heritage, contemporary design, education and industry. International guests, designers and cultural representatives joined exhibitions, publishing activities and runway presentations.
THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE
Headwear, Brought To Life
Every edition takes a different form, while four elements remain at the heart of the festival: design, knowledge, craftsmanship and community.
Design in Motion
Headwear takes centre stage through styling, performance and contemporary collections.
Ideas Shared Across the Industry
Designers, makers and cultural voices exchange knowledge about the past, present and future of hats.
The Knowledge Behind the Hat
Materials, techniques and regional traditions reveal the human stories behind headwear.
A Festival People Can Wear
Guests become part of the experience through styling, exhibitions, celebrations and shared creativity.
THE JOURNEY SO FAR
More Than An Event On The Calendar
The value of the 920 Hat Festival is measured through the connections it creates: between heritage and new design, makers and audiences, specialist knowledge and public curiosity.
For Foremost Hat, the festival reflects a commitment that extends beyond manufacturing—to preserve headwear knowledge, encourage creative exchange and help the culture of hats continue to grow.
Four Editions. Thousands of Moments
Festival archive.
