Comments on: My report: The final of the Hat Designer of the Year 2011

By: jill

jill — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:37:56 +0000

I can’t believe your bubble didn’t place. It was so innovative and technically awesome. Next year…right?
The chance to hang out with such talented milliners: what a dream of a lifetime come true.
BTW…I made an extremely simple orange straw yesterday for fun and posted it. Not sure about the feather pad…need millinery friends input…

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 20:04:09 +0000

Congratulations Cristina. Remember that judging is subjective and sometimes political. The first thing I look at is workmanship and believe me you are a winner. I know it’s can be disappointing, but remember that the winner is not always the best.

By: piki.pikonna

piki.pikonna — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:05:33 +0000

Felicidades por el trabajo tan fantástico. Creo que el éxito de una persona no se mide por los premios recibidos, se mide por la satisfacción del trabajo personal.

Saludos cariñosos.

By: cristinadeprada

cristinadeprada — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 08:36:30 +0000

Thank you Samantha, Thank you Wendy!

By: Wendy White

Wendy White — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 07:11:16 +0000

I love your work and your blog. Yes ,it is very hard work for the Uk hat Designer and i know personnally as i made the semi final last year for steam punk. You have done a great job to get where you have. Don’t give up there is next year for another go at first, your work is amazing.Happy hatting Yours Wendy

By: cristinadeprada

cristinadeprada — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:16:10 +0000

I forgot to say that all those wonderful pictures were taken by my brother Joaquín!! Thank you Joaco!!

By: samantha

samantha — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:32:58 +0000

well done! I like your blog so thanks for keep us posted

By: Joaco

Joaco — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:39:27 +0000

Got to say it was an honor and a pleasure being there with you!

By: cristinadeprada

cristinadeprada — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:29:34 +0000

Thank you Montez! Thank you Jan!

Jan,
Why was the bubble lether hat not included? That’s an interesting question. I did not want to delve into that, but since you ask, here’s what happened. Initially the rules said that 6 milliners would be chosen, and their 3 hats would be exhibited on the final. In the words of the judge Elvis Pompilio “there were too many interesting hats”, so they changed the rules by choosing 9 milliners and showing a range of 3 hats (only in the case of Emmy Jaarma, who won), 2 or even 1 hat (my case and one other. The judging process is a very personal one and there’s very little to be said on that subject. I cannot deny it was a disappointment for me to have my leather bubble hat outside of the final, but I’m still grateful that I made it to the final even if it was only with one hat.
I did a lot of research and worked hard to present hats that fit the theme (La Dolce Vita) and at the same time were novel, unique and finished to very high standards. Some of the hats in the final, to my eyes, had little to do with the “la Dolce Vita” theme. But again, there’s little to be said since it’s the judge who decides, and themes can be interpreted in many different ways.
Having said that, I’m very proud of my hats, their design and their finish, and that gives me an enormous personal satisfaction.
Also, the level of workmanship was very high and everyone had their own unique style, it must have been really hard for the judges to decide, and I’m really happy for the winners which surely deserved it.
I hope this answers your question!

By: Jan Wutkowski

Jan Wutkowski — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:22:56 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Cristina! Wondering why your leather hat was not included, because I just love it. Do they choose which of your hats are to be displayed…or do you? Anyway, I love looking at everyone’s take on the theme. Congratulations on being in the Finalists. So well deserved!