#FashionWeek: Oh My Hat It’s A Hat – A Hat by CLOCHE

With Twitter a stream of hashtags and stress it appears everyone has finally woken up to the fact that it’s fashion week this week. Tickets are sold out and designers are pulling their hair out of their heads, models wondering if they will get casted and show producers trying to figure out if the soundtrack will suffice 2-beats slower or faster.

Then there’s that incredible question: What will I wear?

I’m still too phased by the excitement of actually making it to #SAFW that what to wear is not that big a deal right now. If anything, I’ll go naked, wearing nothing but the beautiful hats CLOCHE will be providing me with. It’s been almost a full three weeks now of planning and bouncing ideas and finally, designs were chosen with fabric swatches in tow and the ‘blocking’ began.

Now, three distinctively exquisite and hand-made hats are nearing completion and I just can’t wait to honour my head with their presence. Don’t believe me? Have a look at these images of the work in progress almost done…

Hats being prepped for a little trim here and there...

My large brim hat being blocked...

Safari hat being trimmed...

Large brimmed hat being trimmed...

My Downton Abbey hate about to be trimmed...

The safari hat being wired (for success)....

Some hand-stitching happening on the safari hat...

The question is: to brooch or not to brooch....

I wish it was fashion week right now! Will be sure to show you the final product and if I happen to find anything to wear with them, what the entire ensemble looks like later this week.

About CLOCHE SA

Chanellé is a dynamic and vibrant, South African born Milliner who trades under the name “CLOCHE”, with her unique taste for trend setting ideas and concepts she is all set to give South African fashion something to be proud of.

After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design at LISOF, Johannesburg born Chanellé Vlok attended a millinery course in Cape Town before interning with world-renowned New York based milliner Albertus Swanepoel. She wants to be part of re-establishing millinery and create a new consciousness for fashion accessories across the country.

Her achievements have already begun, she has been ranked in the top ten for The Sanlam SA Fashion Week Five Roses Competition and more. Over the years she has been collaborating with designers such as Vesselina Pentcheva and Roman Handt. This year her she has started retailing at Edgars (Melrose Arch and Sandton,) Egality and at the Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein.

Her items are unique and hand crafted with a twist of a vintage feel. She wants to reach out to individuals, who have an eye for different exclusive headpieces.