Link to the picture : here
Website: https://madmoisellehatter.be/
Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/madmoisellehatter/
Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/madmoisellehatter
Email: info@madmoisellehatter.be
Telephone: +32 (0)473.17.00.75
Behind » Mad’moiselle Hatter » we find Sandra. She lives in Lessive in the province of Namur in Belgium. She creates hats. In her life, her passions are history and historical fashion.
OJL : Hello Sandra.
Sandra : Good morning.
OJL : Four quick questions before getting to the heart of the matter.
As you live in Lessive (municipality of Rochefort in Belgium), can you tell us what your favorite coffee is there? And what do you like to drink there?
Sandra : We don’t have a cafe in our village. Besides, I rarely go out. But when it happens to me, I like to drink a non-alcoholic mojito or sparkling water.
OJL : And what is your favorite park or place ?
Sandra : I live in a village surrounded by nature so I don’t go to parks much. Because as soon as I leave my house : I’m in the fields and the woods. Otherwise I like to go to the “ Belvédère “ in Han-sur- Lesse .
OJL : Next, what was the last book you read? And the last song you listened to?
Sandra : _ Regarding to the book: « Le Paris des Merveilles » by Pierre Pevel.
_Regarding to the song: “ Dancing in the Moonlight ” by Toploader (among my general playlist because I like a lot of different styles of music).
OJL : Finally, do you have a quote and/or proverb that you like?
Sandra : If I have to choose just one… I would like to highlight this quote from Victor Hugo “ There is nothing more precious in this world than the feeling of existing for someone ”.
Link to the picture : here
OJL : Let’s talk a little about you now. How could you introduce yourself ?
Sandra : I have always been attracted to fashion and history. So I took styling classes at BXL. Then I did a two-year specialty in costumes and another two years in millinery. During this last specialty, I fell in love with hats. And I opened my hat shop a few years later.
OJL : Who are the artists who shaped you ? Who struck you down ? In a few names and why.
Sandra : There are several :
_ Thierry Mugler: my favorite stylist since I was a teenager.
_ Madonna: for her 80s style. I liked dressing like her when I was little (laughs).
_Marilyn Monroe and Dita Von Teese : for their elegance and femininity.
_And many historical figures inspire me for various reasons…
OJL : How did you choose your pseudonym ?
Sandra : In reference to the character of the Mad Hatter from the book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll. The cartoon that Disney studios made has been my favorite since I was little.
Link to the picture : here
OJL : I’m more of a fan of the caterpillar (laughs). Let’s talk a little about your work now. What are you creating?
Sandra : I create hats, headdresses and hair accessories from scratch. Each piece is a unique piece entirely made by hand.
OJL : How can you define your style?
Sandra : As for orders, I do all styles. As for my creations, I would say that I tend to move towards elegance… Without forgetting to add a zest of madness (laughs). These creations often have a very retro inspiration – Pin’up .
OJL : What techniques do you use?
Sandra : I use various techniques: molding felt, straw, sinnamay , working with feathers, working with fabric, etc. And I sew everything by hand… The old-fashioned way!
OJL : Can we place you a personalized order?
Sandra : Absolutely and the person can choose each piece of their hat from the color to the lining including the decorations.
OJL : Can we subscribe to your newsletter? Because social networks are a bit saturated…
Sandra : Not for the moment.
Link to the picture : here
OJL : Do you have a story about creating one of your products? Or one of your sales?
Sandra : I have several… But above all I remember a client who had to wear a hat for an event and arrived in my workshop telling me that she was not wearing a hat because she felt uncomfortable . Some time later, she came back and told me that she had taken a liking to it and she now has several of my creations which she wears with pleasure. This kind of feedback is always a pleasure for me.
What’s also funny, as an anecdote, is seeing my husband’s face when I tell him « I have a completely crazy idea », it’s somewhere between impatience and fear (frank laughter). But he is always there to push me to make it happen (smile).
OJL : Bravo to him for this support. Last question. You definitely have friends who are doing amazing things! If you want to promote them a little, now is the time!
Sandra : I do collaborations with several other creators/artists. I would like to cite four of them:
_“ Mister Asticot ” tailor-costumier.
_“ Fée avec amour ” who makes flowers and hat boxes.
_“ Ruby Colibri ” burlesque performer.
_And “ Le Comptoir de Suzanne ” that your magazine already knows.
OJL : Bravo for what you do. May Our Lady protects you.
Sandra : Thank you.
Link to the picture : here
Quincey Morris
