Pharrell Williams has been getting a lot of attention in the New Year, partially due to his infectious hit “Happy” and the other due to his choice of headwear. He caught everyone’s attention this February at Grammys when he donned an oversized mountain ranger style hat.
The famous chapeau is the creation of legendary designer Vivienne Westwood who created the piece in 1982 as a nod to her boyfriend Malcolm McLaren and his hip-hop inspired song “Buffalo Gals.” The Sex Pistols manager even wore the hat in his music video.
The headpiece known by such names as the Buffalo Hat, Jelly Mould Hat and Mountain Hat made its initial debut in Westwood’s Nostalgia of Mud Collection, also known as the Buffalo collection in fall of the same year.
After Skateboard P’s appearance at the Grammys the hat was bought by Arby’s for a total $44,100 on eBay. Proceeds from the purchase went to the mega producer and performer’s organization From One Hand to Another. Since then he has worn similar versions of the hat at both the NBA All-Star game and the Oscars.
Versions of the hat can be found on eBay and at Westwood’s London boutique Worlds End.