Through our dear friend, David (proprietor of one of our all-time favorite Chicago stores, Hazel), we have discovered a new love: Molly Yestadt and her beautiful hats. David saw the line recently in New York and was instantly smitten. Knowing that the line wasn’t the perfect fit for his store, David is sort of on a mission  to find it a loving, appreciative and appropriate home — basically, someone who can share his love of these gorgeous works of art, but also sell them. To this end, he practically chased me down the street to give me the Yestadt Millinery lookbook and linesheets. He couldn’t stop gushing about the beauty and workmanship of each individual piece — Molly hand-blocks every single hat (which basically means that each hat is a like a little one-of-a-kind hat sculpture). With headgear like this, I can’t say I blame him for his enthusiasm. 

I love a hat – so much – so it is very refreshing for me to see someone out there so dedicated and passionate about making hats and keeping them current. I first fell in love with her hats, but then, after visiting her website, I kind of fell in love with Molly. 

Her blog totally sucked me in. It is filled with all things hat. From behind-the-scenes to old Hollywood to new Hollywood to the runway and absolutely everything in between, I am a devotee for sure. 

Long live Yestadt Millinery and long live the Hat!

all images lovingly and respectfully borrowed from yestadtmillinery.com

Still obsessed. I will admit here and now that I am not a Marc Jacobs fan. Having said that, I have an overwhelming respect and admiration for the man. He made me care about Louis Vuitton — a brand that had been around almost 150 years before he took it over. He is unquestionably one of the most brilliant and influential people in fashion today. What he has accomplished and introduced through his role as Creative Director for Louis Vuitton is truly astounding. The brand is as relevant and in-demand today as it ever was. Just take a look below to ruminate about the genius of Jacobs and Vuitton.

entrance hallway at the Soho neon graffiti launch party

Soho storefront the night of launch party

brilliance in advertising

more brilliance in advertising

The graffiti collaboration between Louis Vuitton’s Marc Jacobs and the late Stephen Sprouse is one of my favorite design moments ever. It was the first time I had ever been drawn to the Louis Vuitton monogram pattern, or to LV at all, for that matter. I had absolutely nothing that designer-y in my closet and would never have even dreamed that I could own something like that. Luckily (I must have a little fashion angel on my shoulder), I managed to obtain 2 pieces from that collection — used, but still fabulous and still 2 of my faves to this day. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get my hands on a neon Speedy until Feb 2nd, but for all you lucky SoHo shoppers, it’s only 2 days away! Who ever said graffiti was a bad thing? 

Jacobs and his neon update to Sprouse's graffiti

Graffiti for 2009

limited edition skateboard and case, SoHo only