Marthe Dumas is a versatile French millinery artist and craftswoman, celebrated for her diverse creations that include hats for TV and stage productions, haute couture, everyday wear, weddings, special occasions, and even video games. She combines exceptional craftsmanship with a keen sensitivity to materials and artistic creativity to bring her unique designs to life.

Marthe’s interest in millinery began while training in embroidery at Lycée professionnel La Source, a vocational arts and crafts college in Nogent-sur-Marne, a suburb of Paris:

“I can’t explain why, but I was drawn to this accessory. For me, it felt innate, as if it had always been part of me.”

She has worked with distinguished institutions such as the Opéra de Paris Bastille, the Opéra Comique, Maison Michel, Anthony Peto, Marie Mercié (Atelier 144), and Chéri Bibi. Her portfolio includes contributions to live performances, audiovisual projects, and artistic events.

Marthe designed headwear for the period crime drama “Paris Police 1905” and more recently collaborated with Ubisoft Video Games, creating hats for various game universes.

Motivated by a desire to express her own vision, Marthe launched her eponymous brand, which she has been actively developing since 2017.

Her style is profoundly influenced by the materials she works with, especially her favourite—soft, plush felt. Marthe listens closely to the fabric’s texture and character, drawing inspiration from its unique tactile qualities as she creates.

In 2025, Marthe was honoured with the prestigious Craft Prize at the Chazelles-sur-Lyon Millinery Competition for her creation, Le Pointill’ Hat. She painstakingly hand-stitched 6,350 small multicoloured felt dots onto a white fur felt beret, each dot sewn individually. This striking technique celebrates both artistry and tradition, paying homage to pointillism while transforming the beret into a vibrant tribute inspired by Georges Seurat’s masterful approach to art.

This podcast is hosted and produced by Lauren Ritchie and edited by Maria Volkova for MillineryInfo