What is a milliner?  

A milliner is someone who makes hats from hand, using the finest materials available.  The word “milliner” comes from the word/phrase “Milaner” since hat straws came from Milan, Italy as well as many other luxury goods.

What is the life of a milliner like?

Many people I talk to think that it is tons of fun, getting to play with colors, feathers and flowers to create wearable works of art. Others think it is merely gluing a flower onto a ready made hat. In my case, it is the first one.

I wouldn’t say the life of a milliner is either difficult or challenging, but sales can vary based on the economy. Since hats are not a necessity, it can be feast or famine.

The actual making of the hats is physical, with lifting heavy hat blocks and also, sewing trim on.  During busy work periods, hands get sore.

Since I am a custom milliner, it is always a gamble on which supplies to order and how much.   I do research each year to check out color trends, but I never truly what people will want!   I usually order feathers and flowers in small quantities.   Black, white, ivory and fuchsia are always popular colors, so I try to have plenty of those colors in stock.

On each hat, there are usually 6 or so items, each of which is often ordered from a different company.  Some of the materials include straw or base, feathers, flowers, ribbons, buttons or crystals, hat label, and headband or comb.  Each material is ordered and then the pieces are all put together by me.

Since I am known as “the hat expert”, I often share my expertise with clients who will be attending the Kentucky Derby for the first time.  I enjoy helping them figure out what to wear and what to expect. Many of my clients are first time hat wearers and admittedly nervous about wearing hats.  I don’t blame them!   They don’t want to look foolish or inappropriate. I never sell or design a hat that I don’t feel great about. I always steer my clients towards elegance.

Being a milliner and small business owner is a difficult balance at times. At times, the business end (accounting, marketing, website, etc.) does threaten to take over. However in any creative business, you must do the “business” end to be able to do the creative part.  And I have become to enjoy the business end of it.

In my lifetime, I have had many jobs.  Some of my jobs included being an administrative assistant, working in the music business, interning on Capitol Hill, running an arts non profit and working in retail.  I must confess that I really love my present vocation best.  I feel immense joy seeing my clients wearing hats that I made for them.

As Margaret G. from Florida said, “Your hats make me feel beautiful and elegant.”

 

Nancy from California wears her custom Polly saucer hat to etiquette events where she teaches others about etiquette, giving them more confidence.