I discovered that I am a decent photographer and tinkerer of graphics and photo editing tools. Dear Lord, does this mean I might have another hobby on my plate? I think it’s just a part of the process of running my little business. No pun intended, but being a milliner requires me to wear many hats. I am a dinky business owner, graphic designer, stylist, photographer, marketing professional, salesperson, public relations director, tea maker, and when I have time, I actually make some hats! My job description runneth over.

But before I digress into another topic, let me tell you about what my model Callie. She is sitting inside a 32” high raised garden bed by Vego Gardens. They were generous enough to send me this bed because I needed a bathtub to create this bubbly balloon scene, but because of Covid, I could not shoot it indoors. Enter Vego owner Robert who rushed a bed over to me in the Nick-of-Time and saved my shoot. In exchange I provided him a few publicity shots, and more coming in the future where I will highlight garden-inspired pieces. I hope I have done his generosity justice thus far. My head is already buzzing with new ideas for the next series.

After the release of my Fall collection, I received many positive responses from around the world. But the ones that touched me the most were from my Asian American followers. They felt exactly like I did while creating the pieces—the blending of two countries, our childhood, immigration, and allowing our ancestry to shine in our adopted country. I have decided that “Wo Ai Ni” is too important to end, and will become a permanent label under the Mad Duchess brand. It will provide me greater flexibility to create more Asian-inspired pieces that do not fall into the general MD label.

With Covid in full force and looking pretty dim here in the state of Texas, and most of the US and the world, new hat ownership has tumbled down the pandemic hill along with other luxury items. Everyone is backlogged with inventory, and I am worried that my suppliers are also suffering along with us. Things have come to a grinding halt. I know I am not alone. It’s happening to every milliner around the world. I hope we can hold on long enough to keep this art alive. Most milliners are cottage businesses like myself. Some of us have had to change designs to suit a more “at home” clientele, or make matching masks and other accessories to keep afloat. I really applaud everyone’s adaptability, because as long as we can adapt, we will survive this.

The Mad Diary

Holidays Are Officially Here