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Handcrafted Hats for Ladies & Gents
Colorado, USA Made By Hand Since 2015
Colorado, USA Made By Hand Since 2015
Felt is a favorite material in my designs. I work with both wool and fur fiber felts, and specialize in the use of vintage and reclaimed materials in my designs.
Free-form blocking is a signature of many of my felt hats, making each piece truly unique. While traditional and specialty blocks are certainly used in some creations, many of the silhouettes are hand sculpted exclusives done intuitively by hand. Using a simultaneous blocking and stiffening process allows for extra flexibility in creation as well.
Reclaimed wool felt, free-form hand shaping.
Custom blocked velour fur felt with pinched raised detailing. Asymmetrical brim is wired, hand bound, and trimmed with antique beading. Modern beaded trim around crown.
Absolutely one-of-a-kind piece done in hand draped wool felt, with antique lace overlays and antique glass button accent.
Custom made, inspired directly from a catalog page from the 1920s. Black fur felt is draped, folded, and manipulated into a very close fitting cloche shape. Fully lined in silk.
Navy wool felt trimmed in velvet ribbon and antique mother of pearl buttons.
Custom made in heavyweight wool felt, trimmed with grosgrain and feathers.
Limited wool/fur blend felt with specialty pleated grosgrain band and polished petrified wood cabochon.
Asymmetrical manipulated wool felt cloche with vintage ribbon trim.
(Back view of hat pictured)
Hand sculpted wool felt with vinyl binding and band.
Limited wool/fur blend felt, hand formed crown detail and brim, trimmed in grosgrain and vintage buttons.
Wool felt, free-form hand shaping overall, simple trim of velvet ribbon.
Reclaimed wool felt, free-form hand shaping, trimmed in vintage bias, grosgrain, and buttons.
I have created historically inspired hats for both theatrical and private clients looking for everything from historically documented reproductions to fantastical fun costume pieces. Each historical piece involves extensive research, which is discussed with the client during the design process. Keeping historical hats connected with their relevant context is an important part of each project, as it creates a more respectful and impactful end result.
Buckram and wire frame covered with silk, with ruched underbrim. Trim includes ribbon sashing, vintage berry and leaf trims, long ribbon ties, and intricate pleated trim around the brim edge.
Hand blocked in wool felt. Edge is wired and hand bound, ribbon band around crown. Fully lined in silk with classic leather reeded sweatband.
A ‘flowerpot’ or ‘top hat’ style topper. Buckram and wire frame, mix of flat and blocked construction to create tapered crown and asymmetrical brim. Silk covering with ruched underbrim. Embellished with velvet ribbon, pleated silk, vintage velvet pansies, and a handmade ostrich feather plume. Fully lined in silk with long ribbon ties.
Custom wide brim cloche inspired directly by a catalog page from the 1920s. Raffia braid body with applied hemp braid stripes. Brim in wide diamond horsehair with wired edge and hemp braid edging. Trim done in various petersham ribbons with beaded accents. Fully lined in silk.
Custom made in cotton velveteen with rouleaux band, chain, 'jewels', brooch, and feather. Inspired by hats seen in Renaissance portraiture.
Perching style cycling hat, hand blocked in wool felt with wired and hand bound brim edge. Trims of velvet ribbon, feathers, and vintage cut steel buckle. Fully lined in silk.
Custom made, buckram and wire frame covered in a silk/wool sateen. Custom made multicolor feather plumes with tinsel accents, finished with vintage veiling and a silk lining.
Custom made in silk, fully adjustable body with stiff brim and hand finished trims. Inspired by an extant example in the collections of Colonial Williamsburg and portraiture of the era.
Custom made in an 18th century tall hat silhouette, blocked in fur felt with wired and hand bound edge. Trimmed in jacquard ribbon, lined in silk.
Custom petite 1870s style perching hat inspired by paintings by Tissot. Peltex and wire frame, covered in clients’ fabric and ribbon remnants. Large bow at back, fully lined.
Custom made, inspired directly from a catalog page from the 1920s. Black fur felt is draped, folded, and manipulated into a very close fitting cloche shape. Fully lined in silk.
Custom made, inspired by court presentation ensembles of the 1920s. Hand curled feathers and veil cut to historically accurate length and styled according to historical references. Headband inspired by movie stars of the era, built on a wire frame with lame ribbon, sequins, beads, and silk rosettes made from fabric from the client’s gown. Chain and clasp attachment for wearing.
Custom made in a traditional Austrian silhouette. The block for this very particular crown shape was custom hand sculpted. Wool felt with wired edge hand bound in wool tape. Tassel trims, fully lined in silk.
Inspired by a fashion plate from 1814, made in a fancy woven ramie/sisal blend straw. Trimmed with silk ribbons and vintage millinery flowers, partial adjustable lining of silk taffeta.
Custom ribbon cockades done in historical styles. These three exhibit examples of: multi layered pleated silk ribbon, pleated and gathered silk ribbon, and gathered grosgrain ribbon. Vintage spangle embellishments at the centers of two, the third unadorned.
Theatrical contracts are a very special part of my work. My background originates in the performing arts, so I am able to bring particular knowledge and techniques to the process of creating theatrical millinery. In addition to full custom creations, I also offer alteration, restoration, and redesign services. From local theatres to Broadway productions, I am happy to work with designers to bring their designs to life for stage or screen.
'A Yuletide Celebration', Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, 2018
Costume Designer: Clare Henkel
Fully custom doll ‘wig’ headpieces. Fosshape bases with yarn ‘hair’ and quick-release elastic chin straps.
'Dancing at Lughnasa', Two River Theatre (New Jersey), 2018
Costume Designer: Gabriel Berry
Blocked matching wool felt tricorn hats. Wired and hand bound edges, fully lined in silk.
'Something Rotten', National Non-Equity Tour, 2018
Costume Designer: Gregg Barnes
Custom Renaissance style caps in production fabrics, with trims provided by Frontier Millinery. Hand curled feathers. Nine hats made in total.
'Something Rotten', National Broadway Tour, 2017
Costume Designer: Gregg Barnes
Custom Renaissance style caps in production fabrics, trims provided by Frontier Millinery.
'Something Rotten', National Broadway Tour, 2017
Costume Designer: Gregg Barnes
Custom Renaissance style caps in fabrics and trims provided by Frontier Millinery. Hand curled feathers.
'Abduction From The Seraglio', LA Opera, 2017.
Costume Designer: Anna R. Oliver
Custom free-form blocked cloche in wool felt with vintage ribbon and buckle trim, silk lined.
'A Yuletide Celebration', Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, 2016
Costume Designer: Clare Henkel
Fully custom made, these toy soldier hats feature flared crowns, vinyl visor brims, and quick-release chin straps.
'Sense and Sensibility', Arvada Center (Colorado), 2018
Costume Designer: Clare Henkel
Regency style tiara made in brass banding and carnelian stone beads. Mounted on headband for theatrical quick change.
'Sense and Sensibility', Arvada Center (Colorado), 2018
Costume Designer: Clare Henkel
Trimming, altering, and finishing of existing bonnet base.
'Sense and Sensibility', Arvada Center (Colorado), 2018
Costume Designer: Clare Henkel
Trimming, painting, altering, and finishing of existing bonnet base.
'Jesus Christ Superstar', Arvada Center (Colorado), 2017
Costume Designer: Clare Henkel
Four hats in two styles. Buckram and wire foundations covered in fabric and braid trims. Fully lined.
'A Yuletide Celebration', Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, 2015
Costume Designer: Clare Henkel
Alterations provided for 26 ensemble elf hats. Customization consisting of the application of red velveteen stripes and metallic appliques.
My straw hat designs range from stylish everyday hats to extravagant one-of-a-kind showpieces. I have created pieces in a variety of straw materials including woven straws, parasisals, sinamay, and more. A willingness to experiment with the possibilities of the materials has resulted in many unique details, from embroidery to layering effects.
Custom wide brim cloche inspired directly by a catalog page from the 1920s. Raffia braid body with applied hemp braid stripes. Brim in wide diamond horsehair with wired edge and hemp braid edging. Trim done in various petersham ribbons with beaded accents. Fully lined in silk.
Combination of pinokpok and guipure lace with complex ‘window’ brim. Brim assembled with concentric wire hoops, lace, and bias strips of pinokpok. Crown embellished with lace, vintage velvet ribbon, and vintage millinery flower. Lined in silk.
Custom wide brim silhouette inspired by 1920s illustrations, blocked in parasisal. Trimmed in layered ribbons and silk flowers. Lined in silk.
Custom blocked in knotted sisal with asymmetrical brim. Hand made multilayered feather plumes and layered ribbon trims. Lined in silk.
Wide sinamay brim embroidered with bird motif and edged in straw braid. Crown trimmed in velvet ribbon, millinery horsehair, and hand cut feathers.
Reclaimed vintage parasisal, trimmed in velvet ribbons, feathers, faux florals, and antique button.
Reclaimed sisal trimmed in grosgrain ribbons and hand cut and embroidered felt lilac corsage.
Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest impact. I create smaller ornaments in addition to my full scale hats. Some of my signature designs include fanciful velvet ribbon headbands, miniature scale top hats, and perching headpieces. Detail, hand finishing, and perfect decorative touches are just important in these pieces as in my larger pieces. And unique vintage and reclaimed materials, as in my full scale hats, are a feature of these pieces as well.
Rococo fantasy petite tricorn style hats a la Marie Antoinette. Each is done in a Peltex and wire frame, covered in silk fabric, and embellished with a silk cockade, silk covered button, and hand curled feather(s). Fully lined, worn with option of elastic headband or elastic loops for hairpins.
Metallic leather flowers and vintage millinery leaves with Victorian bead details on velvet ribbon.
Wire frame with sinamay body trimmed in satin ribbon, metallic braid, and multiple beaded accents. Completed in collaboration with Redthreaded's 'Jewel Box' photoshoot, 2016.
Rococo fantasy petite tricorn style hats a la Marie Antoinette. Each is done in a Peltex and wire frame, covered in silk fabric, and embellished with a silk cockade, silk covered button, and hand curled feather(s). Fully lined, worn with option of elastic headband or elastic loops for hairpins. These two created for a production at Des Moines Metro Opera.
Hand cut and embossed metallic leather 'feathers' mounted on halo headband.
Reclaimed jacquard fabric, accented with grosgrain ribbon, hand stripped feathers, and a Victorian glass button.
Handmade silk flower with Victorian beads and curled feathers on velvet ribbon.
Custom made, inspired by court presentation ensembles of the 1920s. Hand curled feathers and veil cut to historically accurate length and styled according to historical references. Headband inspired by movie stars of the era, built on a wire frame with lame ribbon, sequins, beads, and silk rosettes made from fabric from the client’s gown. Chain and clasp attachment for wearing.
Millinery leaves and faux berries on velvet ribbon.
Projects combining imagination and innovation are some of my favorites! I have completed a wide range of specialty hats from technically challenging and whimsical costume pieces, to replicas suitable for museum exhibition, to competition and show pieces. Experimenting with materials and pushing designs to their utmost is a key way I advance my craft.
A ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ inspired piece created for the 2022 Milliner’s Guild Bes-Ben Competition. Sinamay button base entirely covered in hand stitched acrylic beads and polyhedral dice, with hand painted hero figurine. A crinoline dragon with swiss braid and patent leather accents sweeps around the base and back of the head creating a modern visor ‘veil’, with tall upswept wings of pleated crionline.
Bonnet styled after the painting ‘The Shawl’ by Charles Sprague Pearce, a late Victorian depiction of Regency era dress. A custom block was hand carved to achieve the tall silhouette of the crown. Crown and brim done in parasisal, with vintage straw lace applied in rows on topside of the brim. Underbrim covered in gathered gossamer silk. Trims of vintage taffeta ribbon, vintage feather plumes, and long ribbon ties. Partial adjustable silk lining.
Custom made in a traditional Austrian silhouette. The block for this very particular crown shape was custom hand sculpted. Wool felt with wired edge hand bound in wool tape. Tassel trims, fully lined in silk.
Custom multi-piece set mixing 1830s hair adornment styles and casino themed details. Double 'Apollo Knot' hairpiece with wire and millinery horsehair frame, covered in synthetic wefts with decorative brass card suit accents. Circlet of faux pearls and dice beads. Side floral accents created from playing cards, ribbon, velvet leaves, and dice beads. 'Mantilla' style comb created with playing cards and feathers.
Custom mortarboard in client's fabrics. Hexagonal board covered in velvet, base of jacquard outer fabric and quilted silk interior.
Custom petite 1870s style perching hat inspired by paintings by Tissot. Peltex and wire frame, covered in clients’ fabric and ribbon remnants. Large bow at back, fully lined.
Custom cosplay commission for private client, inspired by the musical 'Wicked'. Buckram and wire construction in brim, hand sculpted EVA foam foundation in crown. Vinyl covering with grosgrain bound brim edge, fully lined.
Reproduction of hat for the Emily Griffith Technical College (Colorado) for retrospective display at Denver Public Library. The original was created by students at the college and presented to First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. Original no longer exists to knowledge, replica created from a photo reference. Sinamay base layered with faux florals and beaded appliques, with full birdcage veil.
Custom cosplay commission for private client, replica of character hat from 'Westworld' series. Reclaimed western weight beaver blend felt, free-form shaped crown and brim. Vintage 2-ply cord trim, fully lined, leather sweatband.
Custom circus inspired piece in 18th C. shape with hand built buckram and wire frame, fancy pieced silk covering, and self silk ribbon accents.
Custom cosplay commission for private client, interpretation of character hat from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films. Wool felt body, hand blocked and heavily distressed for sea-worn effect through cutting, sanding, and painting. Secondhand belt as hatband, also distressed. Bleached and aged feathers, hand shaped. Lined in silk, finished with leather sweatband.
Metalwork and metallic media is one of the newer materials in my portfolio. Crowns and headdresses have been the main focus so far, and I've been developing metalwork and jewelry skills in order to bring those ideas to life. I look to continue expanding on my metallic offerings in the future!
Brass filigree medallions attached to brass banding, with brass chain and glass bead accents.
'Sense and Sensibility', Arvada Center (Colorado), 2018
Costume Designer: Clare Henkel
Regency style tiara made in brass banding and carnelian stone beads. Mounted on headband for theatrical quick change.
Hand sculpted aluminum screen branch with hand shaped brass screen flowers, accented with brass nailhead centers, mounted on headband.
Brass banding hand soldered to size with wire wrapped natural stone beads.
Brass banding hand soldered to size, inspired by Pre-Raphaelite paintings.
