Mardi Gras Millinery 2020

As I sit here in my millinery studio in New Orleans in a state mandated stay in place order, all I can think about is my cancelled Spring events! It is hard to stay positive when you know that Spring is your busiest hat making time of the year, and I can’t make hats for luncheons, races, garden parties, museum fundraisers, and so much more. As we all collectively wait for our lives to go back to a new normal and for states to open up, I can only pray that we will have events this Summer/Fall. This article is not about quarantine or cancelations. This article is about Mardi Gras Day 2020.  

In New Orleans, Mardi Gras Day is the biggest day of the year. For locals, Mardi Gras is more than Bourbon St. and catching beads. Mardi Gras is about making art, costumes and magic. Mardi Gras 2020 was a huge game changer for me professionally. I was hired to create hats for the Queen of Mardi Gras, her mother and her court. I also had the good fortune to be able to collaborate with two local dress designers Suzanne Perron and Kathleen Van Horn. We worked together for half a year making sure the hats matched the suits perfectly. I was presented with a new challenge of having to hire assistant and worked many long hours blocking and trimming hats in order to meet the deadline. It was important for my hat designs to be a reflection of my aesthetic, but most importantly I wanted to capture my clients personality and style.

I started working on the Mardi Gras hat orders in September 2019 and finished all the orders a week before Mardi Gras day. It was so rewarding every time I closed a hatbox with a finished custom hat. On Mardi Gras day seeing all the ladies dressed up in their suits and hats was such an emotional and proud moment for me.

I’m so thankful for this wonderful experience, for the support of my family and friends.

Watch the toast below.

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NolaAdore Magazine: Maria Etkind brings old world skill to her custom hats

I was so excited to be featured in NolaAdore magazine this past Fall 2019

While headbands have made a triumphant comeback, we're looking towards another headpiece. Hats and fascinators bring old world skill and design to the forefront of any look, while instantly upgrading an outfit for a special event. Maria Etkind, a New Orleans-based milliner, has found success in making hats for the women of New Orleans and their various events, including brunches in the French Quarter, horse races, and of course, Mardi Gras. Read More

London Hat Week 2019 and much more!

I had the privilidge to attend London Hat Week 2019 for the first time this year. I had such great time learning new techniques and meeting new milliner that now I can call my friends! I took 5 classes with world class milliners, attended the Xterrece Hat Show, Dior and the Mary Quant fashion exhibit at the V&A museum. I was also able to attend a few lectures that were organized by LHW and the V&A.

The best part about my trip was meeting new milliners, teachers that I have looked up to and of course Stephen Jones!

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Dior Exhibit at the V&A Museum, London

Spanning 1947 to the present day, this exhibition traces the history and impact of one of the 20th century's most influential couturiers, exploring the enduring influence of the fashion house, and Dior's relationship with Britain. Learn more about this exhibit at https://www.vam.ac.uk.

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London Hat Week 2019 Official Exhibition: ‘The Great Hat Exhibition – World Garden.

Milliners from around the world were invited to apply to showcase hats inspired by nature for thousands of visitors to see. All exhibition hats will incorporate exotic, exquisite, intriguing flowers, plants, or landscape scenes in some way. The exhibition will be set up with a form of themed gardens for London hat lovers to be immersed in a journey across continents and enjoy the wonderful colous and forms of nature captured by the exhibiting milliners. 

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My London Hat Week Workshops:

I took classes with Carole Maher, Ian Bennett, Maor Zabar, Jane Taylor and Dillan Wallwork. I learned how to use thermoplastics, made buntal straw turbans, couture hat techniques, 3-D hats, cabbage feather flowers and more.

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Party time meeting new and old friends!

So nice to see my old Dutch millinery teachers and hang out with new milliners!

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Mary Quant Exhibit and Stephen Jones Dior Lecture:

From miniskirts and hot pants to vibrant tights and makeup, discover how Mary Quant launched a fashion revolution on the British high street, with over 200 garments and accessories, including unseen pieces from the designer's personal archive.

I was so thrilled to meet one of my millinery idiols while in London. This was the highlight and end of my amazing trip!

Stephen Jones: is a leading British milliner based in London, who is considered one of the world's most radical and important milliners of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.[1] He is also one of the most prolific, having created hats for the catwalk shows of many leading couturiers and fashion designers, such as John Galliano at Dior and Vivienne Westwood.