Miss Moss Millinery

I am working on my masters in history and I recently retired from the military after 20 years of honorable service - so I am a veteran based business. I have been seriously studying millinery since about 2003. I have my own original historical hat pieces that I have collected over time and study. I love to visit museums like the Smithsonian and Shippensburg Fashion Museum to study original period

hats. All of my hats are made from scratch - that does include the actual form itself. I do not buy hat blanks and decorate them - so, I use hat blocks to form the base. I have studied millinery techniques and have been educated by some outstanding artists. My main focus is my research for hats and historical millinery. I strive to produce a historically correct head piece and because of this, I provide all of my historical work with documentation. However, I really enjoy making fun modern pieces like steampunk, and fascinators - and just creating works of art. Pieces for the casual everyday to the unique event you are sure to be noticed in! I have made a hat for the Royal Ascot! There is no limit! No two hats are ever the same, and each one is unique, one-of-a-kind. To me each hat has its own personality and should speak to you. I take pride in what I make and I love what I do. I love to learn and constantly try to improve my craft and learn more. I don’t think one should ever stop seeking knowledge. I do hope you enjoy looking at my page and love the pieces as much as I do!

“During the 18th century, milliners took the hat-making art out of the home and established the millinery profession. Today, a ‘milliner’ defines a person associated with the profession of hat making. In the 18th century however, a milliner was more of a stylist. Traditionally a woman’s occupation, the milliner not only created hats or bonnets to go with costumes but also chose the laces, trims and accessories to complete an ensemble. The term ‘milliner’ comes from the Italian city of Milan, where in the 1700’s, the finest straws were braided and the best quality hat forms were made.”1

1. Vintage Fashion Guild, The History of Women’s Hats http://vintagefashionguild.org/fashion-history/the-history-of-womens-hats/ (accessed 30 October 2013).