A Tribute to Charles Nolan

One summer day a few years ago, I walked into an eclectic and upscale boutique in the Meat Packing District wearing a vintage 60's dress with a one of a kind hat! Upon my entrance I was greeted by the manager of the store, Linda Melazzo, who instantaneously asked me about my hat! I was honored to tell her my tale as a milliner. After chatting with Linda, she set up a meeting for me to meet Charles and to show him my one of a kind hats. I can remember walking into Charles' studio and opening up my box of hats to show him. I was struck by his presence and his genuine interest in my story. He had a generous spirit about him that I was drawn to. He told me of his interest in supporting underprivileged women and what charitable events he was involved in with regarding this. It was this humanitarian side of Charles Nolan that had me wanting to know more about the man behind the label. He had a god given talent in fashion that he was able to parlay with his charitable cause of interest. I was impressed by his character and found him to be a refreshing part of the fashion business. I think back to that day and I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to work with Charles Nolan. He truly was an inspiration!

Revolution Maplewood, NJ!

Just dropped off 10 one of a kind winter hats to my friend, David at Revolution located at 97 Baker Street in Maplewood, NJ! David is an artist himself, another transplant from Tribeca in Manhattan! He is a furniture designer and also a painter. I found out today he used to live below Twyla Tharp! He has a cool soho-esque shabby chic joint in Maplewood. He has built a business out of everything from funky fire lockers that can convert to wine racks to original paintings. He is a master of treasure hunting the eclectic estate sales that call upon his eye and expertise in the art, furniture finishing, housewares, etc. If you are in the area check out his unusual store. As rustic and off the beaten path it is..... it is a part of Maplewood that will make you think you were back in Soho.....during the good old days!

More on Helena! An artist's inspiration

Helena Bonham Carter plays "Queen" to her own sense of style! When viewing images of her I am struck by her images. She is a great actress who comes across as being very comfortable in her own skin which makes me have a love affair with this actress from afar! Being an artist, you find inspiration in the people who set the precedence rather than follow the lead. Some may think this is going against the grain.... but is it really? These are the leaders in fashion and the cutting edge trend setters! I personally, love her style. She gets it! I'm not saying you need to adopt her "quirky" ( if you will) style.... I am just saying that she feels comfortable in her own skin to dress the way she does. Being a fan of vintage and european fashions, my taste reflects more of a european in this sense. I have traveled the world and have experienced a few cultures that I draw from these experiences when I design my collections. I take the "old" (trimmings, craftsmanship ie. freeform blocking and hand stitching) and merge with the "new" to create new trends in fashion! I look to the leaders on the cutting edge to help me create the next best hat! Thanks to Helena for my latest inspiration! Stay true to who you are.

Beach hats!!!

All this snow and cold weather has me dreaming of a beach vacation!!! Hey... and if I can't get to the beach I might as well design beach hats for my impromptu vacay! I am in love with this softer hue of purple!! It has me thinking about sorbet! When I first designed this hat I was inspired by Helena Bonham Carter! The waves of the hat and the flip in the back makes me think of the characters she plays in the movies she appears in. Her sense of style too! She is an individual, true to self expression and her wardrobe reflects that. That is what makes this lady one hip chic! So if you are feeling your own Helena Bonham Carter self, I challenge you to take these hats to the beach and feel your own groove!

LB xo ;)

Aunt B and Sun Goddess revisited!

I am back in the studio today designing a new version of Aunt B... Aunt D and an updated version of Sun Goddess. I think I am going to design a few more Sp/Su '11 Resort and Occasion hats for the line. I have had a few clients ask for them and the season is right around the corner. I will finish all the hats by hand but I will be using the sewing machine to sew in the headsweats and to tighten the weave at the edge of the brims... ( ok... too technical, who cares????) I just want to point out that I am revamping the Sp/Su '11 line to be more congruent with manufactured cleaner look without losing the authenticity of the one of a kind look to the asymmetry of the hat!!!!

I am a designer that appreciates the feedback of the client without losing the authenticity of the original designs. It creates a WIN-WIN situation and that is what my business is all about! Each hat is touched by the designer's hands and is a real one of a kind which in fact makes each special but I have opted for a cleaner machine stitch look on the headsweat headband. This is another option that my brand can offer.

Ok.... Off to work in my studio! Have a great day!!!

LB xo ;)

Lisa Battaglia Hats inspire the BIG GUNS!

I have been doing research for the new collection and it just so happens that I stumbled upon this hat featured at Saks.com. My initial reaction was shock that the big guys ( ie, Burberry) have taken my original designs to complete their looks. I am the Real McCoy here and my hats have been paid "tribs"!!! I just want to get that out in the open! OK.... now to a new collection.... Oh... and if you want this same hat... I can do this same hat for $75 less than the Burberry and you are getting the "ORIGINAL"! Shoot me an email at info@lisabattaglia.com. Thanks for your patronage!!!

Thinking about Fall 2011 designs!!!!

Hi Everyone!

I invite you to my page on FB. Go to

http://www.facebook.com/pages/

LISA-BATTAGLIA/349987895400

comment on what you would like to see for Fall I 2011!!! Please let me know if there are any colors or styles you would particularly like to see in the collection! Designing the collection is my favorite part! I have total creative realm in the process which is so freeing and inspiring! I really would like to hear what you would like to see from the collection. I can't wait!!!

Thanks for reading!!!

LB XO ;))))