HAT WEAVES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE August 12, 2016 16:56 2 Comments
In the lead up to the summer hat season I fill my studio with a range of straw hats in a myriad of colours, textures and patterns in preparation for designing my new summer styles.
I take delight in the variety of fibres, their properties and counties of origin…. then delight again when the right person turns up to purchase the hat.
There are finely woven vintage sisal pieces from ‘Formosa”
(now Taiwan)sourced in Tokyo, waxy and sophisticated
panamas, from the highland towns of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Robust and sturdy raffias from Madagascar for the hottest of summer’s days…. or New Zealand flax weaves in vibrant colours…. and bold weaves.
The newest fibre in my range is the versatile and supple Pacific pandanus that easily rolls up to be stowed in the summer
travellers bag and this year I will feature pandanus as part of
my summer range.
This world of fibres, with all of their unique qualities and cultural stories, have found their way into my studio, and they are waiting for you - to try on the style that is right for you.
Come on down to the shop in spring and hear more stories about your hat’s provenance and qualities.
Pictured below, Rosie watching Rachel weave a pandanus hat in Vanuatu May 2016
Comments
Rosie Boylan on November 9, 2018 11:27
Thank you for your kind words and follow up from Vanuatu.
Dresden Eyewear donated spectacles for the weavers of Santo and also for Bilum makers in PNG. I am very grateful for their support in improving vision in the Pacific.
Glad you like their weaving. It is a pleasure to share my hat making skills with these weavers and learn about their traditions and skills. I am not a weaver so I, unfortunately, can’t teach you that.
Come to visit my hat store on Saturdays in Newtown if you would like to chat further. Details are on the website.
Cheers,
Rosie Boylan
Vicki Rose on November 9, 2018 11:17
Hi Rosie, watching ni Vanuatu ladies weaving hats in Luganville recently, they asked me if I knew you. “Rosie is from Sydney too” they told me. I promised to look you up when I returned & send you their regards.
They were particularly thankful for the (magnifying) glasses you brought them, allowing them to see their fine weaving better.
Their hats and weaving work were stunning and a real pleasure to observe. Do you run hat weaving classes yourself?
Kind regards, Vicki Rose