Millinery at FIT, "It's All About The Hat" Exhibit

This is so fun for me, a true full circle moment! I am so thrilled that two of my hats were selected to be included in the new Millinery at FIT, “It’s All About The Hat” Exhibit showing in the Art & Design Gallery, June 15 - July 16, 2023. As a graduate of The Fashion Institute of Technology, it’s really exciting to be included in this amazingly, talented group of 40 alumni milliners.

The exhibit curators, Sarah Mullins, Ellen R. Lynch, Janet Linville and Sandra Walcott chose to include my “Le Profile” hattinator in pink and red and my “Béret à Ruban” mini-beret in black and white stripes in their selection of 60 hats.

Per the FIT website, “Millinery at FIT celebrates the art of hat-making. Since 1944, FIT has nurtured a passion for hats, with students mastering various styles, from fashionable felt hats to exquisite fur pieces. The program includes men's hats, bridal headpieces, and weather-appropriate headwear. In the late 1970s, millinery became a part of FIT's curriculum, led by renowned milliners. This program has boosted the hat-making industry in New York City and nationwide.

Graduates excel as entrepreneurs, designers, and creators of headwear for theater and dance. They are known for crafting exceptional hats for editorial shoots and personal use. This exhibition showcases the talent of over 40 alumni milliners, offering a glimpse into their styles and techniques. Visitors can explore the world of millinery, appreciate craftsmanship, and learn about its rich history and vibrant future.”

If you find yourself in New York city this summer, I encourage you to stop by to have a look and send me a picture!

Flavor of Fashion Podcast

I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on the Flavor of Fashion Podcast hosted by Belle Barreiro Seiden. We chatted about how I got into millinery, my time at The Fashion Institute of Technology and working in New York City. We also discussed how I started my brand and projects I have worked on over the years. A real deep dive into all the things that have brought me to where I am today! You can listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

My favorite part of the interview was reconnecting with Belle who interned for me at my Solana Beach store. We have kept in touch over the years even working together to fabricate a chic, denim cowboy hat she designed as part of her Utopian Denim line while studying at FIDM. After finalizing her materials, she came into the studio and selected the forms and base layers she wanted to use and I blocked and stitched the hat for her. You can see some photos of the finished look below as well as some process photos as the hat came together.

As Seen On: Baskets

One of the fun things about having our studio located in Burbank, CA is that we are adjacent to all of the major movie studios and from time to time, we have the opportunity to work with costume designers on hats for TV shows and movies.

Recently, Emmy Award winning costume designer Amanda Needham’s team reached out to us for a bridal piece for the character of Christine Baskets (played by Louie Anderson) on the FX Networks show Baskets.

Based on their specs, we put together a few options for them to choose from and they decided to go with our classic Miriam pillbox. You can see the full look in the final scene of Season 4, Episode 7 entitled “Housewarming”.

The best part is that the hat will now be a part of their wardrobe department and could show up at a later date on another show or production.

photo via Louie Anderson on Instagram

photo via Louie Anderson on Instagram

Country Living - May 2020

We’re thrilled that Country Living Magazine included our “Mini Martine” and “Mademoiselle” hats in their May 2020 Issue! The image has also been featured prominently in their Country Living Fair advertising campaign.

We made them a special version of the “Mini Martine” (it has an added touch of navy ribbon to compliment the gingham) and the “Mademoiselle” features a gorgeous vintage, taffeta ribbon in a coral and ivory windowpane print. Both hats are available to order by contacting our studio.

Mademoiselle - $488.00

Mini Martine - $298.00