At the time of Pride and Prejudice’s publication, Madame Duchon, who would later become milliner to the Queen, was still learning her trade. She would go on to define the "big hat" era, carving out an extraordinary career. Mademoiselle Danet, on the other hand, disappeared from history after launching her own studio in 1823, despite previously serving as head milliner at Mademoiselle Hardy's maison.

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With over a decade at the heart of global fashion weeks and experience lecturing at UK fashion universities, I’m acutely aware of the transient nature of fashion. Designers often fade into obscurity unless their creativity is immortalised through patronage and in media. Duchon and Danet is an imaginary brand, a tribute to the designers who make it—and those who don’t.

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These designs, along with the Bonnets Bon Ton series, represent the magazine’s take on the "Big Bonnet Era."