This month we had the pleasure of interviewing Irene Bussemaker, from The Netherlands, this is what she had to say.

How did you become interested in millinery ?

I’ve always adored the power of hats because they can change the appearance of the person, wearing it in seconds. There’s nothing else that has this instant power.
Changing them not only on the outside but on the inside as well.

Where and did you learn millinery?

Art Academy department Fashion Design, Maastricht.
Hanna Hnickova, (Czechoslovakian) milliner.
Work experience, Philip Treacy, London.

How long have you been a milliner for? Where else have you work?

I graduated in 1993 at the Academy for Visual Arts in Maastricht and went to seek for professional milliners who could teach me the old craftsmanship. These milliners are very hard to find in the Netherlands. After some time I met Hanna Hnickova a Czechoslovakian lady, she began to teach me. I had learned a whole lot on my training period with Philip Treacy in London, but Hanna was kind enough to teach me, sometimes I even took private lessons.

Where do you get inspiration for your designs?

I have had a bit of a problem working with themes. I need a lot of freedom to create.
So for me it is difficult to send in hats for contests there’s always a theme.
Themes like contrast (atelier musee du chapeau, chazelle-sur-lyon) being such a broad theme made it possible for me to create without losing my freedom, which is very important to me. But I can find inspiration in all kind of things around me, nature naturally in one of them.

What has been your most enjoyable commission?

The most enjoyable commissions are the one you give yourself.
Give your self space and freedom to create whatever comes to your mind. No restrictions, restrictions kill my creativity.

How would you describe your style of hats?

My vision is this; I believe that a good designer should develop oneself creatively without letting other people decide what they think you should create. There is only one “you” and each individual is unique, let people see who you are. I’m always experimenting with new shapes, or changing the appearance of a material.

Who do you make hats for?

I don’t make hats intentionally for special occasions, I just make hats and then the costumer decides when and where they wish to where my hats. I divide my work into three categories when there finished. Darebles (for those who dare), Wearables (easy to wear) and Lovebles (brides).

What materials and techniques do you favour?

I love to work with all kinds of materials; I once even worked with plastic. But hairfelt I love to use because it’s so playable you can make all kinds of shapes. I’m a material freak; I use leather, fabric, crystals, feathers, braids etc.

Any other interests?

Too much for one live. I love photography, Styling, Theater, animals and exotic cooking.

Contact details

Irene Bussemaker, The Netherlands
website www.irenebussemaker.nl

Some examples of her work.

WWW Millinery.info