How did you become interested in millinery?
When I saw the movie “My Fair Lady”, it began my love for fabulous romantic hats.
Where and why did you learn millinery?
I am self-taught, I tore up hats and figured out how they were made, as I put them back together and studied books on the subject.
How long have you been a milliner for? Where else did you work?
I have made hats for myself and friends for four years.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
Wherever I go on my travels I like to hunt antique fabrics, lace, old jewelry, plants, feathers indigenous to the areas. They renew my inspiration to create sensational hats for my clients.
What has been your most enjoyable commission?
My most enjoyable commission is for my promenade hats I make and design for myself, as there are no restrictions and I can be as bold and flamboyant. I enjoy the creativity part of each hat I make, they take on their own personality.
How would you describe your style of hats?
I like each hat to be sensational, to be the focal point in a room and have it enhance the looks of the wearer of the hat and give the client great self esteem, I make romantic, conventional and flamboyant original hats with a flair.
Who do you make hats for?
I make hats for ladies in hat clubs, events, horse races, Easter Promenades in Charleston (South Carolina), hats to wear to church and “after five” cocktail hats.
What materials and techniques do you favor?
I look in vintage stores and places that carry beautiful and unusual ribbons, feathers, even dried florals and preserved greenery. I like my hats to be original; each one is a one of a kind and makes the hat wearer happy and proud to be wearing it.
Any other interests?
I am an avid reader and in a literary club for 25 years, golfing, I am in hat clubs and had my own wallcovering business for 25 years and just retired from it. Hats are very much my permanent interest as they are great conversational pieces and I truly enjoy wearing them, as well as creating new ones. I have an interest in growing my own herbs to use for gourmet cooking.
