CRYSTAL BIRCH PRESENTS: CBII SS22

Hat lovers by now know the name Crystal Birch.

From selling at a stand at the Old Biscuit Mill market to now taking over a 84-year-old manufacturing company, Parisian Milliners, Crystal spent time after her studies in Stellenbosh with honing her skills under the guidance of Noel Stewart and Piers Atkinson, arguably two of Europe’s finest talents in the art of hat-making.

She told us about her Summer range:

As technology continues to accelerate as an integrated part of our lives – crucial for connection and communication -  we wondered where the ancient practice of millinery could intersect with it? Is there space within the realm of fashion for hats, that evoke a synergy between its functionality yet still pivot us into the electronic age? With these musings in mind, SS22 was born; as an ode to AI while remaining classically relevant for the wearer.

 Observing our CANSA approved hats, vital for protection of the skin as the sun illuminates us ahead of this summer, we see them taking flight as suspended objects moving around as if imbued with their own anima & essence. In many ways, we do view our hats as being their own created, intelligent beings – bringing life to any look, no matter the shape or size. This speaks for the care and consideration with which each hat is braided in our hat factory established in 1936, by the hands of our skilled milliners whose talents are still relevant on this current timeline in the matrix-reality of 2021/22.

Order from : therealcrystalbirch.com