Milliner of the Month: Belinda Roberts
How did you become interested in millinery?
When I saw the movie My Fair Lady it began my love for fabulous romantic
hats.
Where and did you learn millinery ?
I am self taught, I tore up hats and figured out how they were made, as I
put them back together and studied books on the subject.
How long have you been a milliner for ? Where else did you work ?
I have made hats for myself and friends for four years.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs ?
Wherever I go on my travels I like to hunt antique fabrics, lace, old
jewelry, plants, feathers indiginous to the areas. They renew my inspiration
to create sensational hats for my clients.
What has been your most enjoyable commission?
My most enjoyable commission is for my promenade hats I make and design
for myself as there are no restrictions and I can be as bold, and
flamboyant, I enjoy the creativity part of each hat I make they take on
their own personality.
How would you describe your style of hats?
I like each hat to be sensational, to be the focal point in a room and have
it enhance the looks of the wearer of the hat and give the client great
self esteem, I make romantic, conventional and flamboyant original hats with
a flair.
Who do you make hats for ?
I make hats for ladies in hat clubs, events, horse races, Easter Promenades
in Charleston,SC, hats to wear to church and after five cocktail hats.
What materials and techniques do you favour?
I look in vintage stores and places that carry beautiful and unusual ribbons
, feathers, even dried florals and preserved greenery.I like my hats to be
original, each one is a one of a kind and make the hat wearer happy and
proud to be wearing it.
Any other interests?
I am an avid reader and in a literary club for twenty five years, golfing,
I am in hat clubs and had my own wallcovering business for twenty five years
and just retired from it. Hats are very much my permanent interest as they
are great conversational pieces and I truly enjoy wearing them, as well as
creating new ones. I have a interest in growing my own herbs to use for
gourmet cooking.
Contact Information:
Belinda Roberts
Charleston, S.C.
Gatorbug54@aol.com
Some examples of her work:
