EACH GIGI BURRIS MILLINERY PIECE IS HANDCRAFTED LOCALLY IN NEW YORK CITY.
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The Elaine Band in Ivory. A perfect punctuation to your outfits this season. Light and floral, with delicate details to standout from your average headband. Hand wrapped and embellished with silk flora and our signature twisted biot feathers.
The Beverly Band. A favorite of Gigi's! Raffia straw is crafted into a textural headband. Nothing says Gigi Burris like a classic off center bow. This bow is made using a crotchet raffia straw. Lightweight, textural, and an amazing piece to pair with your casual attire.
]]>Our evergreen curation of our bestselling signature silhouettes. As the seasons go by, these styles remain classics in the millinery community. Effortlessly stylish and a flawless addition to your year round wardrobe. Each style is hand blocked in luxurious velour felt and trimmed with a cotton sateen ribbon and sleek metallic finishing. Preserve the romance of a signature assortment and explore the collection now.
A style near and dear to the Gigi Burris community. The Laura is universally flattering. Named after one of our stunning sewers, the 'Laura' incorporates a vintage inspired silhouette while encompassing a modern spirit.
A cult favorite, those who have worn the Laura Halo Hat find it difficult to go back to their usual brimmed fedora. A memorable and effortless style.
The Laura in Sage. The ultimate cool girl staple. This silhouette sits atop your head like a halo, those comparing the look to that of a padded headband. Now showcased in our luxurious sage green felt.
]]>Many individuals are unaware of the true origins of Panama hats. Authentic Panama hats are hand made in Ecuador. Toquilla straw is used to craft most Panama hats. The material is light in color, lightweight, and provides a high amount of UPV sun protection. This style of straw is very breathable which makes it a popular choice for Summer fashion. Weaving this material can take anywhere between one day to many months, a true skill and a testament to the quality of production.
Panama Hats, although made in Ecuador, gained its well known name for a variety of reasons. Many Americans, when trying to get to California during the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s, first encountered this style of hat in Panama. This was one of the reasons the name stuck. This, along with Theodore Roosevelt being photographed wearing this style of hat while inspecting the Panama Canal, was another moment in history that contributed with the name being associated with Panama instead of Ecuador.
The process of making a Panama Hat is intricate and is an artform that has been handed down for generations within various Ecuadorian communities. From the harvesters choosing the highest grade of plant fibers to craft into toquilla straw, to the cured, dried, and bleached straw being given to a weaver who then uses their skilled eye to pick the best from each bundle. The process of hand-weaving in a circular motion while gradually adding more pieces of straw creates the top of the hat. Once the weaver reaches the brim, they leave the ends fringed out and raw. It is then sent to artisans with the special skill of brim finishing.
The entire process is one that should be celebrated and preserved. Remember when you wear your Panama Hat the artistic detail and skill required to craft the piece. You own a work of art.