Hats off to Albertus Swanepoel

In celebration of his brand’s 10th anniversary, SA-born milliner Albertus Swanepoel has released an exclusive capsule collection with Barneys New York. We caught up with Albertus to talk about hats, the collection and the fashion industry.

What’s been your biggest challenge over the past 10 years?

Managing a business. Cashflow. Negotiating.

What’s your best moment or memory since starting your brand?

Being a runner-up in the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund competition in 2008. It really changed my career, and Vogue has given me such incredible support since. I did a collaboration with the GAP using some of the prize money I won, which was spectacular. There were huge billboards of me and models wearing my hats in Times Square and all over the city.

What was the inspiration behind your capsule collection?

I wanted to illustrate the lost craft of millinery. Given some free reign, my hats tend to be more romantic than my usual commercial work. The collection was really to thank Barneys, who has been a great supporter of mine.

Tell us about the three pieces in the collection.

The black topper was inspired by hats for the 1800s. Women wore these in the city and out horse riding. It was made from Duchesse satin, which is very difficult to work with, and it took 60 hours to make.

The boater hat was inspired by Victorian silhouettes. I wanted to give it a modern spin with the odd colour combination and graphic use of a flower.

The headband was done in collaboration with Magpie Art Collective in SA. They sent me the flowers and I constructed the headpiece. I love taking household objects and turning them into something beautiful.