Crafting Crowns for a Canadian Icon: Lilliput Hats and Gord Downie
We’re always on the lookout for street art in Toronto, and during a recent stroll along College we came across vibrant print murals featuring silhouettes of the legendary Gord Downie. This was not random; they cover the storefront of Lilliput Hats, the millinery that designed hats for the beloved lead singer of The Tragically Hip. Gord Downie passed away in 2017 of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
These beautiful murals were painted by Toronto artist and musician Ron Hawkins, of the band Lowest of the Low.
Lilliput Hats is a haven for exquisite millinery nestled in the heart of Toronto. You will find an eclectic array of hats here ranging from casual to couture. Each one is meticulously crafted by Karyn Gingras and her skilled team right in the store workshop.
From weddings to fashion events, their custom-made creations have graced the heads of personalities such as Rachel McAdams, Celine Dion, Whoopi Goldberg, Sandra Oh, and Adrienne Clarkson, the former Governor General of Canada.
Among the distinguished clientele of Lilliput Hats stands the late Gord Downie. His distinctive style often included hats that sparked conversations. In 2016, Karyn Gingras crafted him a series of iconic wide-brimmed hats for The Tragically Hip’s final Canadian tour that gained quick recognition. They were crafted with elements as unique as the man himself—feathers, metallic ribbons, studs, porcupine quills, and even tiny bird bones found their way into these bespoke creations.
Downie’s affinity for hats transcended mere fashion; it became a symbol of his enduring legacy. As he navigated his battle with illness, his flamboyant attire served as a testament to his indomitable spirit and artistic vision. Images of these hats now feature in the logos for both the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research and the Chanie Wenjack Fund.
One notable piece that emerged from this collaboration is the Gord Downie ‘Away Is Mine’ Hat—an exquisite creation crafted with velour felt, adorned with intricate details like a cotton bandana fabric wrap, sari silk rope, and an etched brass Gord signature tag.
Take a scroll through the Lilliput Hats Instagram feed to get a sense of the artistry and passion behind Karyn Gingras’s work. I love her “Last Hat of the Day” posts:
The Lilliput Hats shop/studio is open from Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm, and Saturday from 11am to 6pm. Closed Sundays. You can also shop online at the official website, which is a delight to peruse, especially the Wondrous One-Offs page. 462 College Street, Toronto.
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