Interviews – Janet Haskell

How did you become interested in millinery?

I've always loved hats ever since my youngest days of playing "dress-ups". Once I realized I could make a hat for my young son, I decided I could make a hat for myself and for friends as well. That led to marketing my creations and now it is an unstoppable passion.

Where did you learn millinery?

I learned to crochet 15 years ago from a wonderful woman named Virginia Clemens, here in Elmira, NY. She gave me a hat pattern for a "news boy cap" one day and that got me started.

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

I've been making hats without pause since 1990. I also work 4 days/week at a fiber arts store in Ithaca, NY (home of Cornell University). I sell my hats there and get many custom orders for hats to coordinate with outfits that we carry, varying by season. I'm also one of the buyers for the store and I attend the wholesale shows in New York City every few months and get to see all the latest fashions for clothing as well as for hats!

Where do you get inspiration for your designs?

I get a lot of my inspiration from hat styles from the 1920s and 1930s. My all-time favorite designer is Erté. Necessity, being "the mother of invention", is also a major factor in creating new styles for functional purposes. Often the discovery of a unique trim or fiber results in a completely new hat design.

What has been your most enjoyable commission?

I love doing custom orders over the internet with customers who send me their wishes and ideas so that we can co-create something unique and special. I have a customer in Detroit who even sends drawings of her ideas that I can translate into styles specifically for her. Another favorite was a lacy, wide-brim bridal hat that I made for a young woman getting married on the Queen Mary. "Red Hat Society" orders a lot of fun too because the women who are members of that organization tend to be, by definition, particularly spunky and daring and want some elaborate and eye-catching head gear for their events!

How would you describe your style of hats?

People often say that my hats are "whimsical". One customer told me everything about my hats are "very generous" and I love that description. I also think they are often reminiscent of the 1930s.

Who do you make hats for? Church goers? Brides? Everyday winter wear?

I make hats for all occasions and reasons: church, brides, wedding party participants, winter warmth, summer sun protection, chemo patients, horse races, Red Hat parades, romance, drama, intrigue and general dare-to-wear fun and self-expression!

What materials and techniques do you favor?

All of my hats are totally hand crocheted my me. I love combining different fibers and I use the finest quality yarns and materials that I can find. Some of the new "novelty" yarns and tapes are great for adding texture, sparkle and exciting trims. The accessibility to the incredible fantasy-land of the New York City garment district is, of-course, invaluable for finding unique and wonderful supplies of any kind imaginable. I use millinery wires for special effects and shaping.

Any other interests?

I also make and sell small "cocktail purses" as pictured on my website. I love accessories of nearly any kind!