The Royal Ascot is finally here, and we know that each year the hats seem to get bigger, better and more outlandish, as women try and outdo themselves – and each other.

Well, we think the unique piece of headgear above will be perfect for those women looking for something a little bit different. It might not look too crazy, but you’ll definitely think otherwise when we tell you how it’s made…

Would you believe us if we told you the hat was created via 3D printer? The hat, which was commissioned by Great British Racing, was the creative vision of milliner Gabriela Ligenza, and is the latest product to combine fashion with cutting-edge technology.

“Artisan and bespoke textiles have always been at the heart of what I do but working with such a cutting edge technique as 3D printing has allowed me to create what before was impossible within millinery,” she said.

“Having the chance to bring together the age old classical pairing of millinery and racing and this new technology and approach to design for Ascot perhaps the world’s most famous race meeting, has been an exciting creative journey.”

And if you look closely, you’ll see that the hat features lots of words on it; those aren’t just any old words either – they’re from a poem by Henry Birtles written especially for Ascot!

We wonder if we will see anyone sporting a more technologically advanced hat during the festival…