Chapeau Claque - folding cylinder

A sensation for connoisseurs: The extremely rare folding top hat – the icon of fashion history returns!

Imagine: the glamorous theaters and opera houses of the late 19th century, filled with an elegant audience. Every gentleman wore a top hat – but where to put it in the crowded auditorium? The answer was an invention that continues to fascinate to this day and has become a symbol of the wit and pragmatism of the Belle Époque: the collapsible top hat , world-famous as the chapeau claque .

Invented and patented in the early 19th century (often associated with the Parisian milliner Antoine Gibus in the 1830s), the chapeau claque was the ingenious solution to the top hat's space problem at evening events. A simple mechanism of springs and hinges allowed the hat to be folded flat—with a characteristic "click" or "claque"—and just as quickly unfolded back to its full shape. It could be conveniently stowed under a seat or discreetly carried under the arm without compromising the wearer's elegance.

The top hat quickly became an indispensable accessory for gentlemen attending opera premieres, theatrical performances, balls, and travel. It embodied a blend of style, practicality, and the understated luxury of the era. It enjoyed its heyday as long as the top hat remained the epitome of formal attire.

Today, a fully functional folding cylinder, especially one in well-preserved original condition, is an absolute rarity . The complex mechanisms are prone to wear and tear, and the delicate materials (often still genuine silk) have become brittle.

We proudly present to you such an extremely rare piece from our own production . A piece of technological history and at the same time an accessory of great fashion significance. The elegant silhouette, the material, and above all the functioning folding mechanism make this hat an exceptional collector's item and a fascinating conversation starter.