Bespoke Louisiana Inauguration 2020

This past winter I had the privilege to be hired to create a bespoke hat for Mrs. Donna Bel Edwards. She would be wearing the hat to her husband’s inauguration on Jan 11, 2020 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I met with Mrs. Edwards at her home in the Governor’s mansion before Christmas and discussed a hat shape, material and flowers for her custom hat.

See full inauguration images here

We agreed on a royal blue felt color and I proposed custom flowers that would have an ombre color effect that would go from teal-royal blue. I was super pleased with the outcome and Mrs. Edwards. I also tried to buy all my materials in the US.

We got very lucky because it stopped raining right before they came out for the event. Which made all of us very happy.

Materials:

• Velour royal blue felt

• Handmade custom flowers from M&S Schmalberg

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NolaAdore Magazine: Maria Etkind brings old world skill to her custom hats

I was so excited to be featured in NolaAdore magazine this past Fall 2019

While headbands have made a triumphant comeback, we're looking towards another headpiece. Hats and fascinators bring old world skill and design to the forefront of any look, while instantly upgrading an outfit for a special event. Maria Etkind, a New Orleans-based milliner, has found success in making hats for the women of New Orleans and their various events, including brunches in the French Quarter, horse races, and of course, Mardi Gras. Read More

Milliners Guild: The textile window

This past summer I joined the Milliners Guild in hopes to grow my millinery network as well as have the opportunity to participate in millinery events and shows.

The Milliners Guild is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the public’s awareness of the skillset and products used in the trade. The organization celebrates this year’s New York Textile Month with a fashionable showcase of beautiful textiles, millinery tools and hats made by its talented members.

I have been part of the guild for a few month’s and have already had the opportunity to help with guild website updates and also was invited along with 23 other guild members to create a hat for a textile window located in the Garment District in NY!

I created a cloche (bell) shaped vintage felt hat using the guild’s brand colors of white coral and black.

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