The Milliner

Anyone who pays attention to the credits at the end of a fashion show is fairly familiar with the names of those who work along side the designer but behind the scenes. Often times you will see the names of up-and-coming designers, but for the most part, these people are happy to work behind the scenes and have done so for years. The most recent Spring/Summer shows for '08 happened to include one new name that was shown during the credits for quite a few designers; Albertus Quartus Swanepoel.

Albertus has formally taken the title of Milliner; this is even the occupation he lists on his tax forms. A Milliner is one who designs women's hats and hat trimmings specifically and also other accessories that include embellishments such as the extra buttons on a man's coat sleeve. In modern terms, they create hats and delicious embellishments for them and other accessories.

Swanpoel is a very modest designer who doesn't feel it would be right to say that he actually designs the hats that are being used in the designer’s collection. He states simply; "It's more finding the right shape, as a draper would do for a designer. Materializing their ideas." When collaborating with Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, he had one of his most successful collaborations. He collaborated with the designers to create the turbans in their 2005 Spring show, which was surf-inspired.

Swanpoel gives us some advice on how to wear hats, since they are one of the hottest accessories for 2008. Albertus says that the best way to wear a hat "is with wit," going on to add that he tends to follow a rule of opposites when choosing head gear. For example, women with a long face should wear a wide brim; a round face will do best with a square hat.