Gigi Burris Millinery's guest appearances

Gigi Burris Millinery

The Style That Binds Us

Story + Rain Talks

Jessica Simpson

Kara Goldin

Jane Fonda

Rebecca Minkoff

Veronica Chou

Ashley Judd

David Pirrotta

Rachel Blumenthal

Ellen DeGeneres

Dana Thomas

Tracy Matthews

Jennifer Aniston

Aliza Licht

Fern Mallis

Khloe Kardashian

OwlTail

Gigi Burris

In 2009, New York based designer Gigi Burris created a long-needed shift in the hat market when she established Gigi Burris Millinery, both with her fresh designs and her point of view on heritage and her craft, a craft that had its beginnings in 16th Century Europe. Since then, she’s gone on to become a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist. The modern milliner had a longtime affinity for embellishments and for joyful heritage design, and when she put together her graduation collection as a student at Parsons, it was the hats that she paired with each ready-to-wear look that totally turned heads. A thoughtful designer who leads with a kind spirit, on the podcast we discuss Gigi’s biggest learnings, including learning to deal with those whose integrity doesn’t match her own. We discuss her innovative Sharina hat with its cult following, made famous when actor Mahershala Ali wore it the night he nabbed his Oscar win in 2019. We talk about how she chooses materials to work with, the subversive details she’s known for, and how design inspiration comes to her. We discuss the drive and mission she has for Closely Crafted, the foundation she created to transform, uplift and sustain the craft industries within fashion, and Closely Crafted’s ultimate goal of growth. Gigi shares the behind the scenes details for many of her collaborations, from Oscar de la Renta to Disney. We talk the power of styling, the important place hats hold in history and as symbols, and the famous faces like Lady Gaga who have worn her designs. We discuss her work in bridal, hat trends, and the one important thing that’s required when it comes to sporting a hat. We discuss her Florida roots, her plans for the future, the hat she wore to her wedding, and how her deep love of artisanship fills her cup as a human being, artist, retailer, and in her day-to-day life. Listen to how cutting edge talent meets humility meets purpose, in this conversation with genius Gigi Burris. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:gigiburris.comGigi Burris Laura hatGigi Burris Sharina hatNette Sunday Chess candleWestman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion DropsMacari red wineNew York Public Library E-Reader Appfollow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content HERE | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram HERE | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa HERE | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on storyandrain.com

In 2009, New York based designer Gigi Burris created a long-needed shift in the hat market when she established Gigi Burris Millinery, both with her fresh designs and her point of view on heritage and her craft, a craft that had its beginnings in 16th Century Europe. Since then, she’s gone on to become a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist. The modern milliner had a longtime affinity for embellishments and for joyful heritage design, and when she put together her graduation collection as a student at Parsons, it was the hats that she paired with each ready-to-wear look that totally turned heads. A thoughtful designer who leads with a kind spirit, on the podcast we discuss Gigi’s biggest learnings, including learning to deal with those whose integrity doesn’t match her own. We discuss her innovative Sharina hat with its cult following, made famous when actor Mahershala Ali wore it the night he nabbed his Oscar win in 2019. We talk about how she chooses materials to work with, the subversive details she’s known for, and how design inspiration comes to her. We discuss the drive and mission she has for Closely Crafted, the foundation she created to transform, uplift and sustain the craft industries within fashion, and Closely Crafted’s ultimate goal of growth. Gigi shares the behind the scenes details for many of her collaborations, from Oscar de la Renta to Disney. We talk the power of styling, the important place hats hold in history and as symbols, and the famous faces like Lady Gaga who have worn her designs. We discuss her work in bridal, hat trends, and the one important thing that’s required when it comes to sporting a hat. We discuss her Florida roots, her plans for the future, the hat she wore to her wedding, and how her deep love of artisanship fills her cup as a human being, artist, retailer, and in her day-to-day life. Listen to how cutting edge talent meets humility meets purpose, in this conversation with genius Gigi Burris. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: <a href="https://gigiburris.com/pages/about-gigi-burris" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">gigiburris.com</a> <a href="https://rstyle.me/+HZpNSu5AeBEOMxmJMsjKYQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gigi Burris Laura hat</a> <a href="https://gigiburris.com/collections/burris-menswear/products/sharina-punch?variant=39802220150854" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gigi Burris Sharina hat</a> <a href="https://rstyle.me/+tDmn-jz_-Mwx5O0aMLSAeQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nette Sunday Chess candle</a> <a href="https://rstyle.me/+Xl9YyDHhtbguwYQh3AVpLQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops</a> <a href="https://rstyle.me/+0tLtObCOIRgoZS5RCP0c4g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Macari red wine</a> <a href="https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral/simplye" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New York Public Library E-Reader App</a> follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storyandraintalks/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram<a href="https://www.instagram.com/storyandrain/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> HERE</a> | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tamararappa/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on <a href="https://storyandrain.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">storyandrain.com</a>

Gigi Burris: Milliner + Founder Of Gigi Burris Millinery

We had the pleasure of interviewing Gigi Burris of Gigi Burris Millinery. She is based in Brooklyn, New York and her studio is on the Lower East Side. She was a 2009 graduate of Parsons School of Design where she was nominated to be the Designer of the Year. She studied RTW there. She was a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist from 2014. Her hats have been worn by Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Haley Baldwin, Taylor Swift and many more!   Gigi grew up in Florida and didn't always dream of being a milliner. She loved art and working with her hands. Growing up, she worked with the local museum. She studied art in high school. She went abroad to Parsons Paris and got to focus on craft &amp; heritage. Whenever she sketched RTW, it always had a hat. They offered a millinery class and she begged her friend to take it too so they wouldn't cancel the class.   A milliner is someone who makes hats / a hat-maker. She has entrepreneurs in her family, but she never dreamed of starting her own company. Even though she was top 10 of her class, it was hard for her to find a job once she graduated from college since there aren't enough jobs for the influx of students each year. She worked part-time as a freelancer with stylists. She also worked with Dennis Basso where she worked with exotic skins and fur. If you're going to use fur, make sure the animals come from a farm that you know they are treated with the best care possible. The Parsons program is quite intense - similar to law school, MIT or a doctorate. You're expected to pull all-nighters, travel, come in on the weekends, etc, so it really prepares you for the working world. It prepares you for the work-life balance of work taking up most of your time. To work in fashion, you need to know that the time commitment and the financial return might not be in alignment.   How do you make a hat? By hand, which is a technique that is centuries old. It starts with a carved wooden block. A hat has two pieces, a crown (the top part) and a brim. The shape of the hat begins in wood. They work with vintage blocks from the 1890s-1980s. They work with a skilled craftsman who can carve their own blocks. Once they carve the shape, you choose a brim. You place the material over the wood and you mold it with steam. The moisture allows for the material to form around the wood. Then it is baked in an oven. The process is all done with fire - a fire oven that stays on all day long. If it has a welt (a seam around the edge), you'd put a wire in it. You need to put a sweatband inside the hat that can serve as a buffer for your skin.  How many hats are in a collection? She designs with a merchandising background when she designs. When you see her collection in the store or a website, it should look cohesive and transportive. In terms of SKUs, it varies. Without color ways, they will be 28 at minimum and they have gone up to 40 in the past.  You can do wide brims, short brims, caps, beanies, etc.   Materials - millinery is a category that has been shrinking, so some of the suppliers they've used have gone out of business. They used to put cotton grosgrain inside the hats, but that facility closed. It is a challenge to find a place to get materials. They get straw from Ecuador and Switzerland. She gets felt from the Czech Republic. Fur comes from Finland.   CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund - she was such a small brand when she went through. She got advice from such an incredible panel of judges, such as, Anna Wintour, Andrew Rosen and Diane von Furstenburg. She was able to absorb everything and tried to apply it to the best of her ability. It helped her feel welcome in the New York City fashion community. She developed a family with the people she worked with - Paul Andrew, Eva Fehren and Ryan Roche.   They show with the main season fashion calendar because of wholesalers. Their client is a buy now, wear now client. She is buying straw through August. She  ---   Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/delia-folk8/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/delia-folk8/support

We had the pleasure of interviewing Gigi Burris of Gigi Burris Millinery. She is based in Brooklyn, New York and her studio is on the Lower East Side. She was a 2009 graduate of Parsons School of Design where she was nominated to be the Designer of the Year. She studied RTW there. She was a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist from 2014. Her hats have been worn by Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Haley Baldwin, Taylor Swift and many more!  Gigi grew up in Florida and didn't always dream of being a milliner. She loved art and working with her hands. Growing up, she worked with the local museum. She studied art in high school. She went abroad to Parsons Paris and got to focus on craft &amp; heritage. Whenever she sketched RTW, it always had a hat. They offered a millinery class and she begged her friend to take it too so they wouldn't cancel the class.  A milliner is someone who makes hats / a hat-maker. She has entrepreneurs in her family, but she never dreamed of starting her own company. Even though she was top 10 of her class, it was hard for her to find a job once she graduated from college since there aren't enough jobs for the influx of students each year. She worked part-time as a freelancer with stylists. She also worked with Dennis Basso where she worked with exotic skins and fur. If you're going to use fur, make sure the animals come from a farm that you know they are treated with the best care possible. The Parsons program is quite intense - similar to law school, MIT or a doctorate. You're expected to pull all-nighters, travel, come in on the weekends, etc, so it really prepares you for the working world. It prepares you for the work-life balance of work taking up most of your time. To work in fashion, you need to know that the time commitment and the financial return might not be in alignment.  How do you make a hat? By hand, which is a technique that is centuries old. It starts with a carved wooden block. A hat has two pieces, a crown (the top part) and a brim. The shape of the hat begins in wood. They work with vintage blocks from the 1890s-1980s. They work with a skilled craftsman who can carve their own blocks. Once they carve the shape, you choose a brim. You place the material over the wood and you mold it with steam. The moisture allows for the material to form around the wood. Then it is baked in an oven. The process is all done with fire - a fire oven that stays on all day long. If it has a welt (a seam around the edge), you'd put a wire in it. You need to put a sweatband inside the hat that can serve as a buffer for your skin. How many hats are in a collection? She designs with a merchandising background when she designs. When you see her collection in the store or a website, it should look cohesive and transportive. In terms of SKUs, it varies. Without color ways, they will be 28 at minimum and they have gone up to 40 in the past.  You can do wide brims, short brims, caps, beanies, etc.  Materials - millinery is a category that has been shrinking, so some of the suppliers they've used have gone out of business. They used to put cotton grosgrain inside the hats, but that facility closed. It is a challenge to find a place to get materials. They get straw from Ecuador and Switzerland. She gets felt from the Czech Republic. Fur comes from Finland.  CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund - she was such a small brand when she went through. She got advice from such an incredible panel of judges, such as, Anna Wintour, Andrew Rosen and Diane von Furstenburg. She was able to absorb everything and tried to apply it to the best of her ability. It helped her feel welcome in the New York City fashion community. She developed a family with the people she worked with - Paul Andrew, Eva Fehren and Ryan Roche.  They show with the main season fashion calendar because of wholesalers. Their client is a buy now, wear now client. She is buying straw through August. She --- Send in a voice message: <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/delia-folk8/message" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/delia-folk8/message</a> Support this podcast: <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/delia-folk8/support" rel="payment nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/delia-folk8/support</a>

Industry interview with Gigi Burris Millinery on how hats can transform an outfit