Welcome to the weekend POU! We finish up our week celebrating the crowning glories of our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers with the story of the incredible Chicago milliner Eloise Johnson. Unfortunately I couldn't find a picture of this feisty incredible lady, but of course plenty of other pics to share of the "Crowns." Eloise Johnson ran a hat boutique on … [Read more...] about Saturday Open Thread: Showstoppers! African American Milliners
Milliners
Thursday Open Thread: Showstoppers! African American Milliners
Good Morning POU! Today we look at the stylish men's milliner! Michael McCant! Michael McCants studied at Glassboro State College and the Fashion Institute of Technology. He decided to take his love for creating custom one-of-a-kind designs and launched McCants Originale in 1982, quickly becoming known for his dramatic silhouettes, luxurious fabrics and original … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: Showstoppers! African American Milliners
Wednesday Open Thread: Showstoppers! African American Milliners
Happy Hump Day POU! We continue looking at the artistry of Milliners. Today we travel to Baltimore to take a look at the talents of Phyllis Eley. A hat block stands on a table in front of 68-year-old Phyllis Eley. It’s just a piece of balsa wood, carved in the shape of a woman’s head. But when Eley takes this inanimate object in her hands, it seems to take on life. The … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: Showstoppers! African American Milliners
Tuesday Open Thread: Showstoppers! African American Milliners
Good Morning POU! We certainly couldn't honor the Milliners of our communities without acknowledging the creator of the fabulous designs worn by the late great Dorothy Heights! Meet her personal milliner, Vanilla Beane. Ninety-year-old Vanilla Beane is a milliner who knows that a hat can be so much more than mere headgear. Look no further than Beane's favorite customer: … [Read more...] about Tuesday Open Thread: Showstoppers! African American Milliners
Monday Open Thread: Showstoppers! African American Milliners
Good Morning POU! No, I did NOT know the proper name for a hat designer was "Milliner". Well, as you know, the African American community has a very storied history with hats. Hats are statements. Hats tell a story. This week, let's honor the great Milliners of our history! In April 2009, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: Showstoppers! African American Milliners