I first came across Karema Deodato Millinery on Instagram (no surprise!) because her sculptural and clean-lined hat designs stopped me in my tracks while scrolling through her page. I had the chance to meet Karema Deodato, a New York-based luxurious hat and headwear designer; for the first time at Harlem Makers Collective. I was so delighted to meet her in person. She is a beautiful person with a kind soul and a passion for millinery.
Her passion and skilled expertise are juxtaposed by her modern aesthetic to vintage silhouettes and penchant for experimentation. At the explorative age of 14 years old, she realized her true calling by digging into her mother’s fabric scraps and creating a charming little Fez for herself. Since that young discovery, she has continuously evolved, creating classic based hats with innovate structural shapes and clean lines. She makes each hat by hand in her studio in Harlem, using high quality sourced materials. Karema Deodato hat design philosophy is quirky; it combines the classic, traditional with the eccentric. The unusual and creative designs are so stylish and created with such high quality that they are extremely wearable headwear complementing the hat lover that it adorns.
Read below for a Q+A with Karema Deodato and learn more about her journey as a hat maker.
Tell me a bit about yourself and your background, what were you doing before you started Karema Deodato Millinery? Also, when and what was your first introduction to the millinery world?
My mother sewed so there were always fabric remnants and sewing supplies around the house. One afternoon when I was fourteen and with some time on my hands, I dug into some fabric scraps and found some nice black rayon velvet, just some small pieces, but enough to make a charming little Fez for myself. It was great! It didn’t take long to put together and it covered up my messy hair. I looked well put-together.
Encouraging by this little cap, I kept at it making many sweet and some ridiculous cut and sewed hats for my friends and then boyfriend who was a performer. I went on to study fashion design and was subsequently hired at the Metropolitan Opera in the millinery department where I polished off my skills. I left o start my business around 1999 and was soon selling my hats at Barneys and Takashimaya. In 2001, dramatically changed my trajectory – I wound up starting my career as a fashion designer and worked for a handful of companies. Until shortly after the birth of my daughter 7 years ago, I vowed not to return to the long hours and stressful chaos of the garment industry. Instead I made decision to dedicate my time to doing the two things that I adore; creating hats and raising my daughter.
What are your goals for your journey as a milliner?
To keep creating.
What inspires you to create?
The process itself. Most of the time, my hats take shape as I make them improvised. Also, fabrics, textures, my mood that day – it can be anything that gets to me really.
How would you describe your design ethos?
Minimalist chic with maker’s details. Clever and functional.
Who are your influences?
Oh gosh! There are so many! In term of design, I’m still enamored of those deconstructionist designers that I was so fond of in the 80s and 90s. They continue to influence me today, for example Yohji, Margiela, Rei Kawakubo et al. Then there’s Madame Gres, Charles James, Cristobal Balenciaga, the list could go on and on.
What’s a day like in life of Karema Deodato?
I try really hard not to hit the ground running when I get up. I find that even if I take 10 minutes to read, exercise or meditate before I get started, my day is so much smoother and focused. So I try to get up extra early before I need to get my daughter ready for school. After I send her off, I’m dealing with emails and then I’m working on my hats which involves either blocking or sewing in my Harlem studio or running around the city getting materials. By 3 in the afternoon, I get my daughter and either get her ready for a dance class or settle her in to homework or hang out. After her bedtime, I’m back to hats for a while before its lights out for me.
What type of women do you envision wearing your hats?
Any kind really as long as she really wears it and owns that hat! Let’s not forget the guys too…they like my hats!
What differentiates your brand from others?
The hats are quirky, unusual without being weird or costumey and they’re extremely wearable. I’m very hands on with my customers. I work closely with them and I engage them.
Describe your brand in three words…
Quirky. Minimalist chic.
What are your favorite headpieces? Explain the origins of the designs. What were your initial inspirations?
- The Galette Hat: It came about as I blocked it and named after the French rustic berry tart with the same process of folding over the dough (I used to make them a lot in my 20s and they’re delicious!)
- Cashmere Rem Cap: An offshoot of my classic Penn Cap which I also love. It’s so simple and can be whatever you need it to be AND it’s cashmere!
- Olympia: An oldie style of mine but I still make it a lot and love the sculptural shapes within it AND I love customers’ reactions when they try it on. It’s so transformative.
What personal touches did you add to your work?
Nothing beats antique trims like pins and ribbons. I’ll occasionally use these to trim my hats. Another thing I LOVE to do is knit. In the fall and winter, I’ll incorporate my hand knit scarves and ear flaps into my felt hats. Another detail was born out of my tics-doodling, I made some ribbon with my painted doodles.
What have been your bestselling headpieces so far?
What’s your advice to women when starting out to wear – a first hat?
Go for it. Own your hat. Tilt it the way it feels best and get on with your day.
What’s next for Karema Deodato Millinery? Anything coming up in the future that you are looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to continuing doing what I love to do. And looking forward to being in my shop this weekend at the Harlem Makers Collective.
How can people follow you and buy your hats?
My website is https://www.karemadeodato.com (Use code: NANPHANITA to receive 15% off on your purchase) and IG @karemadeodato I sell my hats regularly at the Harlem Makers Collective happening this month and next month: November 15-17 and December 13-15 at 2602 Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem, NYC.
