Chris Shimpach,
Fashion Artist

I started my millinery career by recycling cashmere sweaters. My hats and accessories are created from 100% cashmere sweaters. I select these sweaters based on color, style and texture. Each hat is embellished with vintage buttons, earrings or gemstones. Millinery is the art of hat design on a couture leverl. I design my millinery hats by draping the finest felt, straw, or sinamay millinery fabric over antique wooden hat or head forms, called “blocks”. I use moisture, heat, sizing and steam to make the fabric easily pliable for draping. Once designed, I “bake” them in a small room to set the design. Hats are embellished with vintage buttons, silk, and feathers.