About the Hats
 

Making a hat from the raw materials is a process that can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. I purchase the straw bodies and decide what shape I'd like the hat to be. I then steam the hat body to make it pliable and stretch it over the wooden blocks. This process is called hat blocking. I keep steaming and stretching the hat body until it takes shape. I then allow the hat to dry, which takes about a day. At that point, the brim is usually wired to help it keep shape. I then sew the grosgrain ribbon into the hat band, which helps protect the hat from make-up and makes the hat fit better.

Then the fun part begins, I get to trim the hat! I use French veiling, feathers, silk flowers and ribbons to create a certain look. By blocking the hat myself, I am able to determine the actual shape, size and even create multi-colored hats. An example would be a blue crown combined with a white brim.

For my sculptural hats, I actually mix dyes and paint on the sinamay. After the process of dyeing the fabric, I then hand sculpt the material and sew it into place. It takes several times to come up with a style that I think my client would like. For examples of these hats, please look under the Couture Designs page.

I studied hat design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. While there, I took 6 courses and completed a degree in Millinery Design. I was fortunate to work with excellent teachers. I was able to intern at Patricia Underwood and Mari O'Connor as well.

Who my hats are for:

My hats are for the lady who wants to stand-out and be unique. Someone who is not afraid of making a statement. I design hats that are flattering, feminine, funky and yet romantic. The hats I have designed have been worn to Millionaire's Row at the Kentucky Derby, weddings, summer teas and to Red Hat Society meetings. My hats are really more like one-of-a-kind works of art, as I strive to create unique shapes and colors. I don't do mass-market production or knock-offs.
Men love to see women in hats! So often, I have been told by men that they love to see women in hats because they are feminine and just beautiful. Wearing a hat gives one a sense of mystique. Studies have shown that more men open doors for women wearing hats than for women who don't wear hats.

In addition, wearing a hat protects one's face from aging and skin cancer. While hats can be a fashion statement, they are also important for the health of our skin.

All Hats are made by hand in our Studio. Most hats will ship out in one week. If there is any delay at all, we will let you know. $19.00 shipping fee per order. View our Returns Policy. polly@hatsandveils.net