The Dutch Hats Association (NHV) has been active since 2003. The association aims to bring the hat back into fashion, promoting the crafts-manship of hat making and professionalism of the hatters/milliners. In this unique association around 320 members take part from different backgrounds: 

• people who are in their professional line of business dealing with all facets of the hat 
• people who make hats as a hobby 
• people who are interested into the hat 

The Dutch Hats Association wants to act for all these members as a plat-form. This we try to achieve by paying attention to training, but also to competitions, exhibitions and other social.

A good example of an event organized by the NHV is the milliner’s day. An annual event, with the hat as the main focus, where members have the opportunity to meet other hatters/milliners, but also exchange knowledge, skills and ideas in the field of hats and hat making.

By organizing competitions and exhibitions, we want to profile and promote the hat better within the fashion industry. In 2006, we launched a series of events under the name: 

“With the hat around the world”  the six continents

Each year, a continent is chosen as the theme for the competition coupled to an exhibition. There is a Professional award with an annually changing jury which nomi-nates 10 hats each competition. From the nominates a winner will be chosen, who receives the silver Hat-pin. There is also a Public award, where the public decides who has created the most beautiful hat, to which a challenge cup is associated. The winners will be announced during the national milliner’s day. 

Since 2005 The Dutch Hats Association joined the SVGB. The SVGB is a knowledge and training centre for unique craftsmanship. The goal of this grouping is to set up a (regular) milliner’s education. By doing this, the NHV strives for recognition and professionalism of the craftsmanship in the industry.

Members are given priority and discount for various hat events. In addition, you will receive the Hoedennieuws for free. The HoedenNieuws appears four times a year with information about the association, activities, interviews, recent publications and courses. Furthermore it includes a calendar with interesting tips for exhibitions, both national and international.