HAT DESIGNER EXTRAODINAIRE MARIA CURCIC SHARES HER STORY

HAT DESIGNER EXTRAODINAIRE

MARIA CURCIC SHARES HER STORY

As a costume designer and fashion journalist/blogger I love hats. If I hadn't been a costume designer I might well have been a hat designer. There was a time not so long ago that an outfit was not complete without a hat. Many of the greatest fashion moments include hats. Whether the hat is for daily wear or a special occasion a hat is often the crowning glory of a great fashion look. Hats come in every color and shape they may be utilitarian or glamorous. Seeking out the designs of a hat designer/milliner says a lot about a woman's style. Her style may be vintage, or cutting edge, often extravagant or eccentric, but always exciting. That's where Maria Curcic comes in.

MARIA CURCIC is a

hat designer extraordinaire!!

A couple of years ago now I meet Maria Curcic at a Vancouver fashion show. Her hat caught my eye. We quickly struck up a conversation and Maria shared that she was a hat designer(milliner). Immediately we shared info and I planned to visit her Victoria studio. Well life happens including a pandemic and time has flown by. Over this couple of years Maria and I have become online friends, following and sharing each others work. I am always looking to share with all of you the best of the fashion world, therefore I am bringing you an interview with hat designer/milliner extraordinaire Maria Curcic.

What’s your bio regarding your career as a hat designer ?

Born in Paris, France, I spent my first eight years immersed in Parisian culture. I remember taking piano, ballet, and art lessons and reveling in life as a young Parisian. Then the world changed. My mother remarried, and we moved to Calgary. I spoke no English had to learn English and Serbian, my mother’s native tongue. I struggled in school and clearly remembered being bullied for being different. My mother taught me to sew. She also taught me that no matter how you dress, your accessory will always finish the outfit. In my teens we visited a milliner friend of hers in Paris, I began to create hats, then later studied with Australian milliners like Louise MacDonald. I grew up with a supportive mother who told me to do what I love to do, create. She also encouraged me to pursue my artistic side, so I did, graduating from the Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) (with a major in drawing) as well as Mount Royal University (with a major in Interior Design).

Why did you choose hats and what does it mean to you?

My mother always had me in hats and special little outfits when we ventured to go shopping at the markets in Paris. We used public transportation, my seamstress mother, made me aware of the fashion around me, especially accessories. I discovered that fashion accessories allowed me to be more expressive and allowed me to push boundaries. I found solace and expression in the arts, music, and fashion.

MODEL KIRSTIN - HAT, STYLING AND BACKGROUND MARIA CURCIC

What is your source of inspiration as a hat designer?

Materials, materials, and materials. I love luxurious fabrics and fabrics with color and texture. These fabrics inspire me. I am also influenced by nature, Slavic traditional headdresses, and 1950’s old Hollywood when women were feminine and glamorous. I love the avant-garde, steampunk, mod, minimalism, and visual kei. Each has an element of mystery and intrigue.

MODEL SHARA- HAT AND STYLING MARIA CURCIC

Can you please describe the creative process behind a hat?

Design ideas are my strength, and happily, they seem endless. Most of my ideas come from seeing materials. Observing the fabrics is an intricate part of what I do. My process starts with sculpting and manipulating fabric. Sometimes the ideas appear while I read a book or while I am out on my nature walks. Inspirations also come from my love of clothing and fashion. I am an avid collector of vintage clothing. I wear vintage clothing, I love it. I respect the expertise and skill in making it.
Once I have constructed my design, it gets posted on my website for sale or emailed to my collectors. Some of my creations do not make it to the online shop and are only available at my pop-up shows.

MODEL SHARA-STYLING AND HAT BY MARIA CURCIC

How does a consultation go with a customer for one of your custom creations?

When I am working with a client, I like to know what styles they prefer. Also I want to see their face. I can then suggest a hat or headpiece that will compliment them. Next, I get their head size and other information to start the process. I then sketch out the initial concept and select the fabrics to compliment the design. Right now, consultations are being done online.

MODEL SHARA-STYLING AND HAT MARIA CURCIC

How do my readers get one of your hats?

Most of my work right now is online at www.mariacurcic.com

You can also find me on Instagram @hatgoddess where I show off hats and styles.

My website will also show you where I do “pop-up” hat shows with dates and all info. You can find this on my BLOG page.

IN CONCLUSION

I encourage any of you who are looking for that fabulous piece to finish off your post-pandemic party look to shop the amazing hats at Maria Curcic Millinery. Whether it is a summer wedding or an evening out on the town finish off your ensemble with one Maria's bespoke creations.