Philip Treacy: 'The street sweeper's hat is inspiring'

Celebrated hat designer Philip Treacy is in town for his first international retrospective, "Hats Off to Elements," held in the Elements mall as part of its two-year anniversary festivities. CNNGo grabbed the tireless Treacy for some refreshingly honest takes on everything from Asian women to Marc Jacobs.

CNNGo: Do you read fashion blogs or websites? Any recommendations?

Philip Treacy: No, I don’t. I don’t have a good recommendation for a website, but I like eBay.

CNNGo: Any advice for Hong Kong women when picking out a hat?

Treacy: To choose a hat that makes them feel good.

CNNGo: Aesthetically?

Treacy: That’s like saying what kind of dress would Asian women look good wearing. It’s impossible to answer that question. It depends on the person and the personality.

Remember: wearing a hat is just a bit of fun. It’s like eating a delicious cake when you feel like it. It’s like buying yourself a bunch of beautiful flowers. And wearing a hat when you go shopping, even when people are looking at you, is fine.

CNNGo: What’s your favorite memory?

Treacy: As a child, age 11, lying in the field, on a sort of hay bale. It was the happiest moment of my life. No worries.

CNNGo: Soundtrack of your life?

Treacy: The "Flashdance" song. I love that song. It’s just a happy song. It’s a celebratory, ridiculous song. When you’re 15 and trying to get out of where you are, it’s everything you need.

CNNGo: What do you want written on your headstone?

Treacy: "I tried."

[htmlcomment] p style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">CNNGo: If you weren't a hat designer, what would you be doing?

Treacy: I think I’d be a baker or a confectioner. I like it when people make those beautiful things and people come in and eat it