Today we’d like to introduce you to Annette Higgins. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Annette Higgins is a talented and beautiful milliner (Hat Designer and Maker) originally from Georgia, in Eastern Europe. She is a graduate of Tbilisi State University with a Master’s in linguistics, and received 7 years of classical music training with a specialization in classical piano. She inherited her sense of fashion in clothing from her parents with her father running a private shoe manufacturing business in Russia and, from her mother, a dress designer in a Russian clothing factory. Annette is a wife and mother of two boys. She is bilingual in her native language of Russian and her adopted language of English (from her Master’s in Linguistics.)
Her approach to hat-making is very unique and personal. She works to understand the desires and events where her clients hope to enjoy their hats, and she then sets about creating not simple, easy to create products, but rather as her customers describe, one of a kind works of art. Her creations range from fascinators, to cocktail and grand Derby hats. As well her creations encircle the globe with designs in Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Chile, and extensively throughout the US. The events/locations where her hats are most often worn are the Kentucky Derby, the Del Mar Racetrack, the Royal Ascot, and countless weddings.
Annette has been published at Fine magazine, CVH 1st class international magazine, Avant Garde magazine, See Beyond and there is still lots in works. Her work has been recognized by a world known millinery tutors in the world international Hat acedemy multiple times. Anntte’s hat collections have been presented on multiple fashion shows and runways during lots of Fashion weeks including London Fashion week!
Annette life story was published in a book, SHE – shear heal empower by Shannon Hogan-Cohen.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing is smooth in this life. Haha. There are always ups and downs, but I take it all gracefully. since even downs have positive effects on us – we learn from it! Starting your own business is never easy – but I did it! Of course, it wouldn’t happen without my husband, and my kids who always gave me all the support I needed.
There are lots of aspects in this profession:
1) creating part
2) organizing your business – financing, purchasing materials, marketing
3)customer service
All 3 are very, very important. Creating my headware is the most fun part for me. It comes easy, naturally, anything can inspire me – a dress, a pair of shoes, everything that surrounds me really… I fall in love with every creation I make and each hat is very unique and special to me. And since everything is done by hand, they might slightly differ, which makes them even more special. Everything is done by me – building the body of the hat ( blocking), putting it together and, of course, embellishments – silk flowers, sinamay arrangements, feather sprays and flowers lots of times hand-dyed to match.
The second is my most unfavorable part. 🙂 Since I am an artist in my heart, the paperwork is not for me! But, I am one show person, so have to do it! Thought purchasing fabrics, feathers and etc – is still fun, very inspirational!
The third is where you need to be able to listen to what your customers have to say and implement it in your work. So far, I was blessed by working with amazing people, who appreciate my work and come back each year for more!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I already mentioned that before, but I’ll add that I specialize in fancy, more elaborate headware, which includes Derby hats, cocktail hats, young ladies headbands and bridal pieces on occasions. I also make winter/fall hats made of felt/fur, which I love to wear myself!
Since my hats are all custom made, meaning – custom fit, custom color choice, my unique designs sets me apart from others. My repeated customers know that by working with me, they’ll get a perfect hat to go with their outfit. My motto is less is always more! the hat shouldn’t compete with the dress and vice versa, but they need to compliments each other. Lots of times I help my customers to choose a dress and then build a hat around it. So, yes, I work as a stylist as well!:)
Any big plans?
I love where I am now, but always open to anything that comes my way! If I get a proposal to make a hat for a movie – I do it! If I get an offer to be part of a fashion event – I’ll consider! You never know what life has in store for you and I am willing to see! I also know, that my family is my priority! So, it’s very important for me to keep a good balance between my family and work!
Pricing:
- Young ladies headbands range $35-75
- Fascinators range $250-500
- Hats $500 – 1500
Contact Info:
- Email: annette@annettescouture.com
- Website: www.annettescouture.com
- Instagram: Annette_Higgins_
- Facebook: Annettes Couture Millinery or Annette Higgins
Image Credits
Becki Freed
Legacy.brand.images
Ernie Tyler
Leo Malevanchik
Robert O’Neill
HP photography
Joseph Glosz
