A conversation with Rosie Boylan, hatmaker (podcast)

[Rule17]

My fiancee vetoed every hat I owned, which led to a year wearing nothing but baseball caps. I was miserable and, after taking her to half a dozen hatshops with no luck, I decided the only answer was professional help.

I hit Google and came up with Rosie Boylan, that hatmaker who made all the hats for Moulin Rouge and Australia. At the time Rosie was abroad on a Churchill fellowship researching hats but we hooked up in April and are now on hat number three. All have triumphed with my fiancee.

Podcasting and blogging are other passions of mine so I decided to bring the three together in Open Crown, a new blog that kicks off with a podcast: a conversation with Rosie about hats, hat wearing around the world, and the sticks and stones aimed at the heads of hat wearers.

I'm sure many of you can empathise with the awe and relief that comes from finding the Lounge and its community of people who understand the love of hats.

If you have the time and the inclination to listen, I'd love your views on the podcast.

​

 

[tonyb]

I applaud your efforts, 17. It's good to have another hat-centric destination on the web.

I like the look of Rosie Boylan's site -- very stylish, very "professional" looking -- but I'm left to wonder why it doesn't show us more examples of her work. I'm always keen for a taste of a hatter's style, and just about every hatter's website I've visited provides at least that much, for better or for worse. But not hers. It should be about the hats, I'd think.

As an aside ... my vote for the best looking hatter's site goes to Szaszi in Vienna. Not only is it nearly as visually appealing as a coffee table book, it leaves a very clear impression of just what sort of hat a customer might expect. (His asking prices fall somewhere between outlandish and you-can't-possibly-be-serious, but still, his site is nice.)

 

[Tomasso]

Headwear Specialist...............

 

[Rule17]

I'm left to wonder why it doesn't show us more examples of her work.

I think you're right, Tony. Of course all the pictures from the movie "Australia" that run through the site are examples of Rosie's work but it would be great to see more, especially contemporary hats. You do see your fair share of Akubras in the city but it's not what most of us would choose for urban wear.

I'm seeing Rosie tomorrow to pick up a fedora and will mention it. She did take a picture of me in the straw (shown in my avatar and in the Open Crown logo) so maybe it's coming with yours truly as the model (one instance where the model will not overshadow the product!)

 

[cookie]

Rosie's Work

Rosie has recently redesigned a Milan for me into a porkpie and I never thought I could wear a porkpie....pix soon....

 

[Chinaski]

I just had a chance to listen to the podcast, and I enjoyed it very much. I hadn't thought about the concept of someone with some expertise in selecting a style for the wearer. As someone who (like most of us) was too young for the "golden age" of hats, this may be something of value that was lost. Interesting.

 

[elvisroe]

good help is hard to find

Thanks for that, some interesting ideas and I agree about the lack of assistance when buying a hat...certainly in oz! I guess it does take balls to suggest to a customer that something doesn't suit them and they really aught to try something else. I think it comes down to knowing and loving your product.

There is also a fine line between helping and hovering. Overly enthusiastic help can be a pain in the butt when you're browsing. I almost never buy anything over $100 on the spot and will return a couple of times as I make up my mind. If the sales-person wants their sale NOW then i'm a frustrating customer. But generally if I get a mix of professional attention and thinking time they'll get their cash.

I used to enjoy a wander through Gowings back in the day but I remember being made to feel like a naughty kid whenever I tried something on!

It's funny that while I always get my suits tailored I've never though of having someone else have a go at a hat for me. What sort of ballpark $$$ are we talking and what's the process? (what are other's experiences?)

In Rosie's case does she start from scratch, is she reworking your own hats or has she got a bunch of open Akubras like she used for Australia?

 

[Rule17]

I guess it does take balls to suggest to a customer that something doesn't suit them and they really aught to try something else.

I agree but I think they should work on a longer-term relationship. Don’t sell me something that will make me regret visiting your shop. Get me on your mailing list and tell me when new stuff comes in.

What sort of ballpark $$$ are we talking

I was delighted with the price, as I feared I’d be in for a fortune. It’s not what anyone in the Lounge would think unreasonable but I don’t want to be specific because I don’t know how Rosie works out what to charge and I’m sure it’s based on an individual case.

and what's the process? (what are other's experiences?)

In Rosie's case does she start from scratch, is she reworking your own hats or has she got a bunch of open Akubras like she used for Australia?

Rosie styled a straw for me that she had in her studio and bought in a fedora from her supplier to style, so neither was from scratch. We had a first visit in which we talked about what I liked, what would work for me, etc. The second visit was a fitting. And on the third visit I picked up my hat and there were a couple of tweaks to the height of the crown. It would have been an option to have a hat from scratch but that would have been more expensive and I was there mainly for the styling advice.

It was such a pleasant experience because aside from getting that hats, you get to talk to someone who really knows what she’s talking about and loves what she does.

 

[Carlisle Blues]

Headwear Specialist...............

I interpreted it as someone who has devoted their professional life to their craft and takes pride in their craftsmanship.

Then again I am just one small voice making an observation. [huh]

 

[RHY]

trilby?

What is the exact definition of a trilby? Is it the equivalent of a 1940's fedora or another period?