Meet The Maker

Hi! 

I'm Katherine and when I say I've been making hats for 34 yrs., I really mean it. Recently a family friend sent me this photo. Blessed be it's my first shop back when I was 22. 

My hat shop was located on the North Shore surf town of Paia, Maui. But my hat making journey started a year prior in Venice, Ca. I adore this next photo and these three kids headed to the boardwalk who were kind enough to snap this shot before my first public hat show at my friend's art gallery. That's really when it all began. (Well, that and the initial hat show I held in my parent's home for my mom's work friends. I remember my dad being upset he had to go downstairs for the afternoon, but his tune changed dramatically when I had $500 in orders a couple hour later.)

I believe I was destined to be a hat maker. My love of hats began as a kid watching classic films. Then when I moved to Maui, I began experimenting with just about anything that would balance on my head. This is from the archives on my 24th birthday, hat is woven from banyan roots in Hana, Maui. 

I spent 20 yrs. on and off the island of Maui, and I hatted just about everyone I could. But in my heart I knew I needed, desired, and had to get to NY. It's a big change from Hawaii, but my business was calling me even as I looked out at a secret waterfall in the jungles of Maui... I was dreaming of New York. 

I began my NY journey working for an established milliner, Barbara Feinman Millinery. And the first day I was hired was the first time I learned how to block a hat. At this point I had been making hats for 22 yrs. so to finally learn how to block (how we shape felt and straw into an actual hat) this was a major game-changer for my hat world. The photo below is of that first moment, the genuine thrill to learn the skill - NY was magic for me!

I came to NY to grow my hat business so that's exactly what I did. I began with a hat stall in an artisan's market and made and made and made. I used the time to experiment, fine tune my skills, get feedback from the public and say yes to opportunities that came from being in the city. Like going to Paris Fashion Week. Yeah... like that! 

I spent 7 or 8 years in NY but then I really missed my Mama. She was in Arizona. Life had gone on and my Pops had passed away early in my NY years. I had gone out to visit my Mama and I felt a pull to be with her. Is that a big choice when being in the city? 1000%. But there was a new adventure waiting for myself and my hat business. 

As an artist I am always seeking growth. So at 50, I left what I knew and landed in the Old West... Green Valley, Arizona to be exact. GV is located about 30 min. south of Tucson and 45 min. north of Mexico.

My style began to shift and morph. What I made that fit perfectly in the city and my NY/International clientele, wasn't what was needed in the desert. (At least that's what I thought). 

I began to design hats with wider brims, more sun protection (of course). The Western edge crept into my designs. I began to love playing more with feathers, conchos, and howlite beads created to look like turquoise. My dad's side of the family is from Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. I began to dig deeper into my roots when it came to my style. 

My mom's family is from Montana. I saw a connective thread between the two. Utilitarian, like the way a great pair of jeans function, my hats began to have this wearability, ease, and comfort to them. 

I'm still in NY at the heart of it all, but I have this newer side to me I've been exploring. Desert glamour with side of ranch hand. Hats that travel with me as I explore. Hats that aren't delicate all the time but made to wear everyday whether I am in a silky dress or denim. Same hat, totally different looks. 

And now at 57, I call this my O'Keefe Era, I'm bringing forth what feels like a sweet fit. High style, higher function. And always made with care. Whether it's my hands or the team I use in Brooklyn, NY. It's always by hand. Made to last. And always, always a compliment attractor. 

Need a suggestion? Reach out. I'm happy to help you. And get on the email list - my list gets 1st dibs and secret sales along with the stories about the hats. 

xo
Katherine