#miliner

Introducing: Milliner extraordinaire Made by Kat

Made by Kat  is Inspired by the timeless #glamour and elegance of times past, female sexuality and her multicultural heritage, her aim is to bring creativity, colour and grace to each project she does.

  She balances #couture #fashion with the wearable to create statement looks that stand tall and celebrate the female form.

  Check her out on www.madebykat.co.uk 

@imcuriouslykat  #madebykat 

Last year my dear friend Sara unexpectedly passed away and I kept finding myself going back to her Facebook page for consolation. I then noticed a post on her page: the UK label Hatastic was going to Milan Fashion Week and they dedicated their appearance to dear Sara. That sparked my curiosity and I went to check out the label. Soon enough I was in love with this label for their quirky funky fascinators and hats! My friend Sara was a vibrant soul and this label suited her personality, and I thought I should share with you this gorgeous label! :) 

I chatted to Chloe Haywood about Hatastic.

1. When did you start Hatastic and what made you do it?

March 2009 - I'd started making fascinators for myself simply as I couldn't find anything that was a little different and affordable that didn't have bright turquoise or pink feathers sticking out of them at right angles - bleurgh... I made my pieces out of whatever I found at home and people seemed to like them. I then launched my online shop to see how well they'd sell, and thats when Hatastic! was born...

2. Where did the idea of reusing vintage come from?

I've always had a store of bits and pieces at home and I've always loved upcycling and vintage simply because you can make clothing look really different with a few beads of vintage applique. In fact, I won a competition when I was 16 where I designed and made a patchwork skirt out of vintage remnants, sequins and beads.. It's in my genes to do what I do!

3. Who do you think is your greatest aspiration in hat designing?

Stephen Jones.

4. Which celebrity you would love to see wearing Hatastic?

I'd always say smoeone like Paloma Faith, Bjork, or Helena Bonham Carter, but it really depends on the collection! My AW12 would look fab on someone like Carey Mulligan, but then my upcoming SS13 collection would look fab on someone like Kate Winslett.

Cold Cocktail AW12 Collection

5. Which celebrity from the past would you love to see wearing Hatastic?

I would love to see Katharine Hepburn wearing pieces from the Cold Cocktail AW12 collection.

As I've mentioned before, I found out about Hatastic through my late friend Sara. She was a big fan of Hatastic and when she passed away Chloe dedicated her Milan Fashion Week appearance to Sara.

6. Regarding Sara McNeice, tell me about when you dedicated your past appearance to Sara. She must've made quite an impression!

Indeed she did - I met her at a London music event called Lovebox last Summer (2011) and she and her partner chatted to me and my friend for ages - they were so loved up and having a really good time together and we loved meeting them. I don't know how long we were chatting when she decided to buy my Domino Headpiece from my Recreation Collection! She was the perfect person to wear it and apparently wore it all night...

I bumped into her partner at another event in London around Christmas time who told me what had happened to her and it made a huge impact on me. We'd made such a connection that night and I couldn't quite believe it. I kept in contact with her partner and he very kindly sponsored me to go to Milan Fashion Week with nothing in return except a dedication to Sara as she would have been thrilled to know that Hatastic! was going to a fashion week.

7. One last question - do you think everyone should or can wear hats? And when do you think you should avoid wearing one?

Hats are fab for finishing off an outfit. They make you look elegant and you make friends wherever you go - people want to talk to you when you have an interesting headpiece adorning your locks.

I've found that men love their women to wear hats/headpieces, it's the ladies that get nervous. Wearing a hat takes practice it has to be said. You have to know how to wear them to suit you, but once you've nailed that then you will walk with poise and elegance. It's just like wearing a new pair of heels really! I can't think of a situation were you can't or shouldn't wear a hat...but then I would say that, wouldn't I!

Yay, my baby! Making babies!  I thought it was him, but, you know...