Ana Lamata - SPAIN
Ana Lamata looks at each of her custom made hats as a powerful object that can transform both the appearance of the wearer and its perception of the world. Hats can epitomize a particular culture and express the personality of the wearer. During her PhD in Contemporary Art History, she was able to reflect on the connection of textiles and pigments with social history, art and culture in general; how they are linked to one another. This Spanish hat maker explains that she was already an avid collector and wearer of hats when she decided to move to London to learn the trade under the exceptional guidance of Mrs. Rose Cory, master milliner, MBE and Royal Warrant Holder to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. In her atelier she learned everything, from hat block making to finishing details; from structures to linings; from blocking to draping. Always observing and respecting the intrinsic characteristics and behavior of the different materials. Ana Lamata considers that the handmade manufacture of a hat comprises various techniques and numerous steps which must be mastered in order to achieve the desired result. Focused on classic hat manufacturing techniques, she works with its highest quality standards while reinvigorating this tradition in every piece.