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N: Hi Stephane! It's great to have this opportunity to chat with you. Could you share a bit about your upbringing and your journey to becoming a designer? What was it that drew you specifically to the world of hat design?

S: I grew up on the west coast of Canada, spending much of my time in the forest and by the ocean. I was always daydreaming, watching old movies, and reading. After moving to Montreal in my early 20s, I started doing freelance styling. I found that I could never find the right pieces for creative shoots and would end up making them myself with limited sewing abilities. After studying technical sewing at a trade school, I began coming into myself as a designer and building my label.

What I love about hats is their protective quality and their endless possibilities. Anything can be made into a hat.

N: Your hats are not only visually stunning but also seem to possess a fantastic tactile quality. I'm particularly intrigued by your use of repurposed materials and how you transform them into luxury items. In your view, what defines "luxury"?

S: The use of repurposed materials came very naturally. I have been buying my clothes in thrift shops all my life and worked as a buyer for vintage boutiques for years. Within my community of friends, finding fabulous vintage pieces and reworking them for a night out is a huge part of how we express ourselves and our visual language. To me, luxury could refer to anything that is made with intention and care.

N: In a way, I almost feel like you are not particularly driven by the idea of luxury but rather storytelling. Is that correct?

S: Totally. Storytelling and world-building is something that is always on my mind when creating. The notion of luxury, while alluring, can be archaic. I'm more concerned with building a universe that feels immersive and liberating. My hope is that people feel a sense of whimsical sensuality and fantasy when wearing my pieces.

N: The role of the milliner has evolved over time, with hats once being a wardrobe staple for both men and women. Are there any historical eras that inspire you? What references inform your design choices?

S: I draw most of my inspiration from the natural world, mythology, old films, and historical fashion. I love the elegance and drama of medieval and Renaissance headwear, as well as the maximalism of the bonnets of the 1800s.

N: It appears that you've successfully carved out a niche for yourself in the fashion world. What advice would you give other designers on "branding" themselves to find opportunities? Did you learn any valuable lessons during the process?

S: I definitely feel that I am still developing as a designer and have much more to learn, but I think that the most important thing is being true to yourself. Taking time to formulate your perspective, asking yourself what you would like to convey with your pieces, and why.