Questions, answered in long form

Can I ask how you make your hats?

Of course! They are made from designer end-cuts fabrics, and often trimmed with vintage dead stock materials and ribbons made in France. I have a vintage Industrial Mitsubishi sewing machine I use as well as my hat blocks and millinery tools to make forms.

Do you make them yourself?

Yes, and!

I have made all of my own hats for many many years (I started taking classes at F.I.T. {The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC} in 1998 or 1999, after I graduated from there.

I have learned how to make cut-n-sew hats from flat fabrics, and block hats as well on wooden blocks from Fur felts (for example my fedoras) I know how to make my own patterns and forms and brims as well. My current set up is not one that I can do all of this easily or well.

AND... when I found this "French Worker's Cap" at a flea market in Paris, I knew right away I had to make it in Cashmere. I made MANY prototypes adjusting the pattern little by little, I got better at it. I have done all my own fabric shopping, and collecting of materials from shops around Paris and play with colors and materials until I get it right.

About 6 months ago I found a workshop (Atelier) in France and with their engagement, they have really catapulted my learning. They have made now a total of 6 prototypes for me, thanks to them, I now have sizes: small, medium and large. My goal is that I will launch my first production of 60 pieces with them for delivery in mid-2023. (Eventually I will also have spring materials as well) My goal is to make about 20 pieces a month with the atelier and that I will work with each client to personalize the trim with them.

Or design them and make the patterns and have someone make them?

I design all of them, although I can't take full credit as per the case of the French Worker's cap, but I adjusted and perfected it, in my opinion, to make in right in the materials I chose. I work a lot with form and materials, developing prototype after prototype until I get it right, or it goes in a box for a while until I can figure it out.

Thank you for our questions, it helps me a lot in all the ways I need to communicate better about what I'm doing!