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I believe that hats are the ultimate cosmetic as the right hat can instantaneously transform the shape of the wearer's face. I make hats that flatter a woman's face rather than overpower the woman. Each piece is
meant to be like a sculpture, contoured to flow with the lines of the face to create a sensual effect. An asymmetrical brim emphasizes cheekbones, a large brim places a mysterious shadow over the eye, and a pink hat gives one's cheeks a rosy glow.
I believe the hat defines the look as the face is what one notices first. A flattering dress can make one appear slimmer, but the right hat can change one's entire look and outlook. I work with simple shapes and subvert them to make them modern. Simplicity of form is key to balancing the extravagance of brilliant colors and decadent materials like feathers and fur. I believe in making everything by hand as much as possible; only in this way, can it remain a craft and an art form to me. The woman who wears my designs is one who is confident and has a certain sense of humor. She is not afraid to be the center of attention! I create hats with the hope that the person wearing it out will be laughing or smiling more than usual and definitely having more fun! I have always naturally gravitated towards the found object and the surrealistic aspects of trompe l'oeil as details in my work. You can take almost any minute object of daily life - candy, toy cars, dice - and put them on a hat. Like Elsa Schiaparelli (modernist fashion designer known for Surrealism in her work), with whom I am sometimes flatteringly compared, and who is an inspiration to me, I have the same enjoyment of the visual pun. Almost every fortunate thing that's ever happened to me has occurred by accident, like starting my business (because of bad hair), opening my store (through eviction), and starting a shoe line (from cheesy pick-up line). Since I've been clumsy and accident-prone my entire life, improvising and thinking on the fly have become my best allies to fix many situations. I also soon discovered that hat design, because it involves spontaneous problem-solving and creative freedom, was the perfect medium for my innate tendencies. And if I spill diet coke on a white hat, I would dip the whole hat in diet coke so it looks antiqued. |
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