REPORT
of lower-priced merchandise. Not every day is sunny either, especially in the UK. You have to stock rain hats as well as sun hats. I’m always looking at ways I can appeal to a broader market. I regularly make my own hand- painted flowers, which is a skill particular to my work. This offers something unique to my clients.” When it comes to advertising,
Caroline says that ‘word of mouth’ is very important in a small town. “I love hearing the conversations as people look through the window, although I do feel the need to ‘educate’ some people in the art of millinery. I spend quite a bit of time explaining all the processes needed to produce a couture hat so that their value is really understood. For me, it’s all about making the client happy and enjoying my journey of creativity. I also very much hope to offer millinery workshops again in the future as teaching gives me such great pleasure.” Caroline believes that her
move to the seaside has led to new ways of working, as well as a host of other unexpected pleasures. “I show art in my shop and I often work collaboratively with local artists, sharing themes. One of the first artists I worked with exhibited a series of shell paintings, so I created hats around those. Of course, the light here is wonderful, and I love the beautiful walks and the architecture. An added bonus is that I now have a dog, which just wouldn’t have been possible in the city.”
More information
www.carolinemorrismillinery.com
Golden hat
Lina Stein “Living on the edge of Europe has encouraged me to be more creative”
Lina Stein moved from Australia to Ireland in 1992 and finally settled in the town of Westport in County Mayo where she opened a hat shop and studio. When she first arrived, there was only a handful of milliners working in Ireland, most of them based in Dublin, so Lina was something of a rarity. But why move thousands of miles to set up her business? “What takes milliners to unusual places?”
Lina laughs. “A man of course! I’m half German and met my husband in Stuttgart. We then moved to Sydney before settling in rural Ireland with a young daughter 30 years ago.” Lina’s coastal location gives her endless pleasure. “I’m mad about all aspects of the
52 | the ha the hat magazine azine #93
water, from seeing the waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing onto the shingle to hearing the rain hitting the roof. I really enjoy the ever-changing vista. I love swimming and sailing and meeting the unusual people the sea brings to the shore.” However, being in a remote location
comes with specific challenges, and Lina had to overcome numerous obstacles, especially in the early days. “Living on the far edge of Europe has made me very resourceful. Workwise, things aren’t as simple as they would be in Dublin or London where exclusive fabrics can be accessed more easily. Nowadays, with cheaper flights, and of course the internet, distance isn’t something you feel as much, but when
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