There are machine-made hats, hand-made hats, and then there are couture hats.  I like to think couture hats are where art meets fashion. Couture hats are more often seen on the runway and in fashion magazines than on Main street.  They are an artistic endeavor that is wearable and truly unique.

So, how does one go about creating a couture hat?

The starting point for making couture hats is listening to the client.  Rather than describe what the hat should look like, I prefer to ask how the person wants to feel.  Elegant? Unique? Striking? Understated? Timeless? Is the goal to stand out and be photographed? Or, is the couture hat being worn on a special occasion with someone else being the center of attention?  Both are equally valid but require a different sensibility.

Inspiration comes from quite a few different places and a lot of research goes into creating couture hats. I used to create mood boards using poster boards and magazine images but decided to go high-tech a few years ago and now create digital mood boards. Pinterest is perfect for this. From that point sketches are made, fabrics are selected and prices are calculated.

Little by little, the couture hat starts to emerge.

Couture hats involve multiple fittings because it’s important to determine how the hat will fit securely on the head.  Combs, Alice bands, elastics, and clips all work differently. There’s some experimentation that is needed based on the size of the hat and the wearer’s hairstyle. Like an haute couture dress, everything is hand-stitched and very precise. It takes time to make couture hats and the results are well worth it.