Cécile Hammache

Au Couvre-amour

Milliner

©Cecile Hammache

Four hat models and a new passion

Cécile handcrafts classic hats for men and women with an emphasis on colours and patterns
She learned the secrets of her craft by training at the Hat Museum in Chazelles
She enjoys seeing harmony in the hats people choose for themselves

Cécile Hammache explores her deep connection to textiles through the creation of hats and woven fabrics. Her love for working with textiles began when she was a child, which led her to train as a theatre costume maker, before discovering her passion for hat-making. Cécile is greatly inspired by the creative process behind this accessory, which begins with choosing the right material and requires various techniques. Her hat collections revolve around four classic hat models for men and women, which she constantly reinvents through her materials, embellishments and hybrid technical approach. In addition to millinery, Cécile sought to return to the roots of textiles by training in weaving. Since the early 2020s, she has been experimenting with colour combinations and complex structures to create scarves.

Interview

©Cecile Hammache

©Cecile Hammache

How did you learn the art of millinery?: After I obtained my vocational certificate (CAP), I worked with a milliner who specialised in ceremonial hats. Then, I continued my training at the Hat Museum in Chazelles, where I learned deeper technical approaches. The instructors had backgrounds in haute couture, which allowed me to learn some of the trade secrets.
Do you enjoy working with any specific techniques or materials?: There are materials I particularly enjoy working with, such as hare felt, which is a noble material. I also choose sisal fibre when it comes to working with straws which is a flat fabric that requires a certain level of technical skill to mould. While sisal is typically used on designs for women, I use it on classic hats for men. I would say this is one of the choices that distinguishes my work.
Besides the artisanal aspect, what drew you to working with hats?: Because it is worn on the head, a hat is a unique, eye-catching accessory. It holds strong emotional significance and carries a lot of symbolism. Hats are often related to family histories and personal connections. There is a certain chemistry between a person's face and style and the hat's shape and material – a kind of magical harmony.
What inspires your creations?: In my hat-making work, the material is my inspiration. I start by choosing the base textile and my inspiration instinctively flows from there. My approach to weaving is different as I have to design the end result before I begin. I am particularly drawn to colours and how they mix, and I draw inspiration from any visuals that present interesting colour combinations.

Cécile Hammache is an expert artisan she began her career in 2007