This month we had the pleasure of interviewing Dutch milliner Berry Rutjes Jr.. This is what she had to say.

How did you become interested in millinery ?

I was a fashion/tailor student in the fashion school of the Hague. A friend of mine who was studying costume, knew a milliner and asked her to teach us millinery for fun. I enjoyed it and continue to take lessons with this lady. I was impressed and enthusiastic about millinery. I continued from there.

Where and did you learn millinery ?

When I finished the fashion/tailor school I took lessons with Rose Cory (London) and started my own business. Every summer I took lessons at the London college of Fashion in summer school and master classes taught by Susie Hopkins (London).

How long have you been a milliner for ?

I have had my own business for more then 10 years, in the beginning the company name was "Head and Housetrends", at that stage I designed/made a lot of things. I made baskets for old-timers, soft furnishing articles, slipcovers for furniture. I worked together with a firm who produced suede/leather clothes and I designed hats for them. A few years ago I decided to specialise in hats alone even though Holland is not known for hat wearing! I changed the company name to Berry Rutjes jr. (my own name), chose a new logo, brief paper/envelopes, creating a whole new house style. I also rebuilt the shop, like a French hat shop/atelier (a little bit of Paris in Gouda).

Where do you get inspiration for your designs ?

I get a lot of inspiration when I am in France. Not only from the fashion, but also food, buildings, people etc. I prefer good traditions and techniques and then give my own expression to it. I also really love shoes, bags, hand gloves and accessories. However, I have specialsed in hats. I also still make little handbags that compliment my hats and cuffs, just a bit of fun! I admire good craftsmanship and passion in someone's work, I hope my own work expresses that also.

How would you describe your style of hats?

Colourful, stylish. Mostly occasion wear. When you have the right accessories you only can wear a "black"dress and look wonderful.

Who do you make hats for ?

Most of the time I make hats for brides, special occasions and for people attending Sunday church.

I also made hats for the wedding of Maxima and Willem-Alexander (our Crown-Prince) in February 2002. Every year we have "Prinsjesdag" the third Tuesday in September, when every minister wears a hat .(Not all of mine off course !)

I work with some fashion designers locally (bridal shops/couturier) and I also wholesale to a shop in Japan (where they adore my European way of working). I have also made hats for a shops in Berlin, Münster and Antwerp.

What materials and techniques do you favour?

I do like a lot of materials, but I primarily work with velour's (felt), sisal, parabuntal, florentine straw and sinamay. I also use etamine/sparterie. I like to use a lot of special feathers and handmade flowers on my hats.

To learn more about Berry Rutjes Jr. Hat Designer make sure to check out Berry's website. The web address is http://www.berryrutjesjr.nl/

Or you can contact her:

Berry Rutjes Jr. Hat Designer Turfmarkt 51 2801 GW Gouda, The Netherlands Telephone number; 00 31 (0)182 - 528790 Fax number; 00 31 (0)183 - 510336 info@berryrutjesjr.nl

Here is a few examples of her fantastic work!