ATELIER ROYALE

Atelier Royale hats are handmade in Port Chalmers by Simone Montgomery. Atelier Royale is about natural fibres, sustainability, quality and good design. Saving heads from polyester, one hat at a time!

Tell us a little about what you make.

I make handmade straw sunhats and felt hats. The hats are designed and made by myself, and I specialize in smaller and larger sizes (54 – 64cm). I have a small head so I know the pain of not being able to have a nice hat!  Some of the straw sunhats are blocked on a vintage French hat press and some, along with the felt hats, are hand blocked on wooden hat blocks. Sustainability is important and these hats are 95% compostable. I source and use quality natural materials for my hats. Recently, I have just made the change to Celofil thread made from 100% Lenzing Tencel™ Lyocell fibres. I have an exclusive range of original styles to suit everyone and trim colours to match every outfit. If you can’t find a hat, I can make it, I offer a full custom bespoke service.

What was your creative journey like, what led you to being a designer/maker?

I’ve been making stuff since I was 8. Back in the 1960s nearly every mother and grandmother either sewed, knitted or both. Dressmakers and milliners were common, and every small community had a dressmaker or two. I grew up in that tradition. All department stores had a fabric section and most had a millinery section. I used to spend hours trying on hats! I would often buy fabric on Thursday or Fridy night and spend all Saturday sewing a dress to wear out on Saturday night.

After completing a three year Home Science Diploma majoring in textiles, I started teaching but, after the curriculum changed and I had a child, I switched to teaching fabric art in the then government funded Access Courses. 15 years ago I completed my Masters in Fine Art, majoring in textiles.

I love making anything with textiles and spend a lot of time designing costumes. I have won awards at both the Hokonui Fashion Awards and The WoolOn Awards.

How would you describe your design aesthetic/identity and where do you find your inspiration?

I’d describe it as ‘Modern Vintage’ or ‘Vintage Modern’. I tend to lean towards clean crisp lines in my hats, but when I’m designing costumes – more is better.

Do you have any advice for other makers and budding creatives?

Just do it and trust your instincts. Don’t rely on social media to build your business, it tends to portray a fantasy world.  Get a mentor if you can and focus on quality. Talk to your customers, learn what they want, and test your items in a real marketplace. It could take a while to sort out your process but the market is more and more appreciating handmade slow fashion and the human touch.

What is the best part about being involved in GUILD?

GUILD is a great collective of awesome people that are successful crafters and makers. Because we are so hands-on and involved in GUILD, it has a nice sense of ownership and of being involved in a unique venture. GUILD directly showcases artisans work, without the middle man and high retail markups.