Hats off to Universal Platforms

Universal Platforms had the honour of dressing Admiral Lord Nelson, Winston Churchill and William Shakespeare among others ahead of the London 2012 Olympics as part of the Hatwalk project.

The London-based access platform provider was called in to help dress 20 well-known statues across the city as part of the Hatwalk initiative, which decked out the statues in specially designed headwear to celebrate the Olympic Games and the country's millinery tradition.

Aiming high, Universal Platforms scaled the 169 ft (51.5 m) statue of Admiral Lord Nelson to dress him with a hat courtesy of Lock & Co, the oldest hat-makers in London famed for creating Nelson's original bicorn hat.

Hatwalk is just one of several free and secret performances including in this summer's Surprises, a new initiative celebrating creativity and culture in the capital. It has been organised by Grazia magazine, BT, the British Fashion Council, The London 2012 festival and the Mayor of London.