Irish milliner Philip Treacy last night received an OBE from the queen of England for his services to the British fashion industry.
Treacy, from Ahascragh in Galway, was last night celebrating in London with his family. The event took place in Clarence House, the private residence of the Prince of Wales, who made the presentation.
It is yet another feather in the cap, so to speak, of the 40-year-old designer who has won many accolades in recent years for his outstanding creativity and artistry in the craft of hatmaking, including an honorary doctorate from UCD last year.
Often credited with the revival of millinery, he has lived in London since graduating from the Royal College of Art and was championed by the late style icon, Isabella Blow.
His hats have become part of international couture collections such as Chanel, Valentino and Dior and most frequently Alexander McQueen.
A number of British designers like Paul Smith, Betty Jackson and Vivienne Westwood have been made CBEs, but this is the first time an Irish designer has been awarded the OBE honour.
His hats adorn the heads of many of the world's most famous women including many members of the British royal family, notably the duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles, who regularly wears his creations.
A week ago, he presented a couture fashion show in the g hotel in Galway, his first solo show in Ireland to celebrate the hotel's second birthday. Next year he is to be design director of two further hotels owned by Gerry Barrett.
