Hej alla där ute i sommarvärmen. Nu är det dags för intervju nummer tre, och denna gång är det Louis Mariette från Chelsea att svara på våra frågor och dela med sig av några bilder. Vi har intervjuer på gång med några Svenska modister, som vi hoppas att få svar ifrån omgående. Förhoppningsvis blir intervju nummer fyra den första svenska intervjun. Hoppas ni uppskattar att Louis har tagit sig tid att svara på våra frågor lika mycket som vi.
Please tell us a little about yourself
I am 39 years old and live in Sloane Square, Chelsea, London. My mother is from Goa and my father is from Mauritius so I am very lucky to have grown up with two very different cultures in my life. I was born in Malawi and spent my childhood in Swaziland, Botswana; but I have also lived in Australia, Miami and San Francisco.
When and why did you decide to become a milliner?
It was by complete accident! I was working as a party planner when a good friend of mine, top creative director Michael Dye, saw the headpieces I had designed for various parties and commissioned me to make hats for a prestige fashion show he was working on in Milan at the grand central station. The theme was 1950’s Orient Express and I worked around the clock tirelessly on 25 pieces and the rest, as they say, is history!
Did you go to school to become a milliner, or did you learn by yourself?
I am self taught, which I find gives me the creative freedom to think out of the box and pioneer new techniques to embellish my hats such as hand dipped and hand painted resins.
Where do you get inspiration for your creations?
Mainly the flora and fauna that surrounded me during my childhood in Africa and experiences I’ve had on my trips to exotic destinations. I have been lucky enough to witness rare tribal performances in Bhutan in the Himalayas, their costumes, the colors and patterns on their face, body paint, the significance of their decorative embellishments and headpiece adornments -were all so inspirational to me.
I am also inspired by the elegance of screen sirens from the 1940’s and 50’s. Hats were de rigueur and the workmanship on outfits were so detailed and refined. But most of all I find that my clients always inspire me and the headpieces I create for them is often a reflection of their personalities.
Are there any milliners you admire?
The designer Erte, his designs were so fluid, feminine and expressive.
Which part of history is your favorite considering hats?
There are many, however I adore the charms of vintage 1870 bonnets with detailed lace and tulle.
Which famous person would you like to create a hat for, why, and what would it look like?
The actress Kristin Scott Thomas. I first fell in love with her in Four Weddings and a Funeral when she wore a giant black wide brimmed hat! I would envisage her as a Chinese aristocrat – her make-up alabaster white, her dress high collared in black and her hair pulled high up into a French chignon. At the back of this would sit an oriental, geisha inspired headpiece.
Do you have any advice for others interested in creating hats?
Know no boundaries when designing your collections, but when creating pieces for private clients you must always listen to their needs and briefs. Remember creativity is from the heart. Absorb everything around you as life is rich and inspirational. Be unique and expressive, never limit your design capabilities.
Where you do see yourself in the future?
Life is like an exciting roller coaster and I am approached with so many new projects. This summer I am honored to be the official milliner for the Investec Derby and I have created a hat for the stunning super model Erin O’Connor (see image gallery). We have also just created our second Ready-to-Wear collection for A/W2011 so I’m excited so see how that is received.
Where can we find your creations, and more information about yourself?
Louis Mariette
Website: www.louismariette.com
Email: info@louismariette.com
Studio: 36A Sloane Gardens London SW1W 8DJ
Modist.se and all readers thank you, Louis, very much for taking your time with this interview. Hopefully your words will inspire people and milliners in Sweden as well as throughout the world.
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