About Us
For more than 30 years, Hat Haven has been creating handcrafted hats and fascinators from our Louisville, Kentucky atelier. As a second-generation, family owned millinery studio, we are dedicated to preserving the artistry of traditional hat making while designing distinctive pieces for today's discerning clients.
In an age of mass production, we believe true luxury lies in craftsmanship. Every Hat Haven creation is thoughtfully designed and meticulously handmade using time-honored millinery techniques, premium materials, and an uncompromising attention to detail. From hand-blocking and stitching to custom dyeing and intricate embellishment work, each piece is crafted with care, ensuring that no two are exactly alike.
Our clients come to us seeking more than an accessory; they are looking for a statement of personal style. Whether creating a dramatic Kentucky Derby hat, an elegant fascinator for a wedding, or a bespoke design for a special event, we work closely with each client to bring their vision to life. The result is a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects both the occasion and the individual wearing it.
As a two-time Official Milliner of the Kentucky Derby Museum, Hat Haven has become known for exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design. Our work has been featured in national and regional publications, and our creations have been worn by celebrities, style leaders, and Derby enthusiasts alike.
Despite this recognition, our heart remains rooted in the values that have guided us from the beginning: quality, artistry, and personal service. Every piece that leaves our workshop is a reflection of our family's passion for millinery and our commitment to creating heirloom quality designs that can be treasured for years to come.
At Hat Haven, luxury is not defined by a label, it is found in the hands that create, the details that matter, and the timeless beauty of something made especially for you.
Hat Haven Derby Pop-Up Shop
Experience the elegance of Hat Haven at our annual Pop-Up Shop at the Hyatt Regency Louisville during Kentucky Derby week. Explore a curated selection of ready-to-wear ladies’ hats, fascinators, men’s hats, and boutonnieres, each crafted with style and sophistication. Our Design Center is on hand to add the perfect finishing touches to your piece.
Drop in for a custom consultation, or have a ready-to-wear hat tailored for a personalized fit. Local clients may bring their outfits for precise coordination, while out-of-town clients can consult via video call. We provide expert guidance on styling and care for your headpiece.
We close two weeks before the Derby to prepare for our pop-up. Custom orders are limited—please book early, as our calendar fills by late February to early March. Custom creations require 8–12 weeks for completion.
As a small, appointment-only atelier, we are best reached by text at 502-957-9411. Off-season studio visits are available by appointment.
Statement Bows Workshop
In this beginner friendly, one day workshop, students will learn how to create eye catching statement bows using a variety of traditional millinery materials. We will explore different bow styles and construction techniques, with a focus on creating sculptural forms that add impact and elegance to hats and headpieces.
Topics covered will include when and how to use wire for structure and support, techniques for achieving clean, professional edge finishes, and methods for creating striking two-tone bows from sinamay. Students will also learn how to securely attach their finished bow to a pre-finished hat or headpiece. By the end of the class, participants will leave with completed bow samples and the skills needed to incorporate statement bows into future millinery designs.
$185 - All Materials Included
Sinamay Trims Workshop
In this one-day workshop, students will explore the versatility of sinamay and learn how to transform this classic millinery material into elegant, sculptural trims. We will focus on manipulating the bias to create dynamic shapes and movement, covering techniques for wiring bias strips to form loops, swirls, and other dimensional elements.
Students will also learn how to achieve clean rolled edges, and construct petals for beautiful sinamay flowers. Throughout the class, we will discuss design considerations, finishing techniques, and methods for incorporating trims into a variety of millinery styles. By the end of the workshop, each student will have a collection of sample techniques and completed trim elements ready to incorporate into future hat and headpiece designs.
$150 - All Materials Included
Silk Abaca Flowers
Discover the beauty and versatility of silk abaca in this hands-on workshop focused on creating elegant, dimensional flowers for millinery and fashion accessories. Students will learn how to utilize the unique warp and weft structure of this specialty material to shape and sculpt stunning floral designs.
Throughout the class, we will cover preparing and stabilizing the silk abaca for cutting, creating and using petal patterns, wiring techniques for structure and support, and a variety of petal manipulation methods to bring each flower to life. By the end of the workshop, students will have completed their own silk abaca flower and gained the skills needed to incorporate these distinctive blooms into future millinery projects.
$150 - All Materials Included
Crinoline Swirls Workshop
Discover the creative possibilities of crinoline in this hands-on Crinoline Swirls Workshop, suitable for milliners of all skill levels. Students will learn how to take advantage of the bias of this versatile material to create elegant loops, curls, and sculptural swirls that add movement and dimension to millinery designs. The class will cover wiring techniques to provide structure and stability, as well as methods for finishing the edges to achieve a crisp, clean, professional appearance. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a completed crinoline trim piece ready to incorporate into a fascinator, hat, or other millinery creation. If time permits, additional techniques such as distressing, texturing, and creating crinoline poofs will also be demonstrated, giving students even more ways to incorporate this versatile material into their future designs.
$150 - All Materials Included
Floating Feathers Workshop
Discover the art of creating dramatic feather florals in this one-day Floating Feather Florals Millinery Workshop, open to students of all skill levels. Participants will learn techniques for cutting, shaping, and curling feathers to create soft, dimensional petals with beautiful movement. The class will guide students through assembling individual feathers into a large statement flower and cover the essential wiring techniques needed to securely attach the finished floral piece to a pre-finished millinery base. By the end of the workshop, students will leave with a completed feather flower and the skills to incorporate this versatile technique into future millinery designs.
$250 - All Materials Included
Blocking a Sinamay Hat
Join us for a two-day Sinamay Hat Blocking Workshop, open to milliners of all skill levels. In this hands-on class, students will learn the fundamentals of blocking a traditional sinamay hat, creating the crown and brim as two separate pieces before assembling them into a finished design. Instruction will cover shaping and finishing techniques, attaching an adjustable hat band, and completing the brim and crown edges for a professional finish. By the end of the workshop, each student will leave with a fully completed hat, ready for trimming and personal embellishment.
$425 - Students will need to purchase sinamay prior to the class. All other materials are included.
Sequin Flower Workshop
In this one-day workshop, students will learn how to transform sequin film into striking floral embellishments perfect for millinery and couture-inspired headwear. This versatile technique creates lightweight, eye-catching trims that add texture, sparkle, and dimension to any design.
Throughout the class, we will cover pattern development, cutting techniques, and layout considerations for creating balanced and visually appealing floral compositions. Students will also learn how to construct a wire foundation to support their trim, along with methods for covering the wire and preparing the finished piece for attachment to a hat or fascinator.
By the end of the workshop, students will leave with a completed sequin flower trim and the skills needed to create custom floral embellishments for future millinery projects.
$150 - All Materials Included
Perching Fascinator Workshop
Take your millinery skills to the next level in this two-day Perching Fascinator Workshop, designed for students with previous hat-blocking experience. This intermediate-level class focuses on creating elegant three-dimensional perching fascinators that sit beautifully and securely on the head. Students will explore the principles of balance, proportion, and placement while learning techniques for shaping and constructing a sculptural design. Instruction will also cover professional mounting methods and secure attachment techniques to ensure comfort, stability, and wearability. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a completed perching fascinator and a deeper understanding of the structural considerations behind successful millinery design.
$400 - All Materials Included
Veiled & Illusion Brims
This workshop is ideal for students who have completed the Perching Fascinator Workshop and are ready to expand their skills with larger, more dramatic millinery foundations. Students will have the option of creating either a classic veiled brim or a delicate tulle illusion brim.
Throughout the class, students will learn how to construct the wire support frame that forms the foundation of the brim. We will cover techniques for preparing and wiring veiling, as well as methods for seamlessly joining and stitching tulle to create the airy, floating effect characteristic of illusion brims. Special attention will be given to achieving smooth, even coverage, along with tips and tricks for maintaining shape, balance, and a professional finish.
By the end of the workshop, students will leave with a completed brim foundation ready to be incorporated into future perching fascinators or further embellished to create a finished millinery piece.
$300 - All Materials Included
Classic Pill Box
Join us for this two-day workshop focused on creating a timeless pillbox hat. Students will learn the traditional techniques used to construct a pillbox in two separate parts, resulting in a professional-quality foundation ready for finishing and trimming.
Participants will have the option to create their pillbox using a traditional hat block or learn a block-free construction method, making this class suitable for both those with access to millinery blocks and those looking for alternative techniques. Throughout the workshop, we will cover shaping, assembly, finishing methods, and proper fitting to ensure a comfortable and secure wear.
By the end of the class, students will leave with a completed pillbox base and the skills needed to recreate the technique in a variety of sizes, materials, and styles for future millinery projects.
$350 - All Materials Included
Classic Boater - Blocked in One
Learn the timeless art of creating a classic boater hat in this two-day millinery workshop, perfect for students of all skill levels. Participants will block a straw capeline in one piece, creating the distinctive shallow-crowned silhouette that defines this iconic style. The class will cover essential construction techniques, including wiring the brim for structure and durability, creating an adjustable hat band for a comfortable fit, and methods for securely mounting a shallow crown to ensure the hat sits beautifully on the head. By the end of the workshop, students will leave with a fully completed boater hat, ready for trimming and personal finishing touches.
$400 - All Materials Included
Wirework Breton Workshop
In this workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of creating a classic wirework Breton hat base. We will begin by constructing the wire frame, which serves as the foundation of the piece, and discuss techniques for achieving proper shape, balance, and fit. Students will learn methods for fitting the Breton to the head and securely attaching it for comfortable wear.
The class will then cover how to cover the wire frame with tulle, creating a clean and professional base ready for embellishment. We will also discuss a variety of alternative covering materials and techniques that can be used to prepare wirework frames for trimming and finishing, allowing students to explore the versatility of this lightweight millinery construction method.
Students will leave with a completed wirework Breton base frame and the knowledge needed to further develop and trim the piece into a finished hat or headpiece.
$350 - All Materials Included
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