Sculpture for the top of your head
- Sofia discovered her passion for millinery while working in a hat shop
- She learned her craft as a tribute to her grandfather
- Her artistic, handmade pieces express both tradition and modernity
Sofia Caldas studied painting but was drawn to the world of traditional hat making when working as an assistant in a hat shop. "I did not see the making process of the hats that were in this shop as they came from a manufacturer. I believed it was possible to do more than what I saw and became curious to experiment with shaping the felt myself.” Crafting her own artistic path in millinery, Sofia believed in learning traditional hat making techniques while experimenting with shapes and exploring new materials like wood and stone sheets. Today, each hat she makes becomes a wearable canvas used to tell a unique story. Her beautifully-finished and sculptural hats may also contain messages hidden within the piece, or even house a music box to brighten the day of the wearer.
Interview
- What does the name of your workshop AVO mean?
- AVO means grandfather in Portuguese. I named my workshop AVO to pay tribute to my grandfather who was an important figure in my life. He also always wore a hat and I believe this indirectly influenced my passion for hat making.
- How important was it to work in a hat shop to learn your craft?
- It sparked my interest and without that experience I may have missed my true vocation to be a milliner. The experience encouraged me to learn the techniques and use my curiosity and creativity to shape elegant storytelling hats.
- What techniques do you use to make your hats?
- All my creations are handmade. I draw my idea and then work to shape and mould the felt or any other material. My hat stories come to life through embroidery and stitching as if I was drawing them. Sometimes I write and include a hidden message inside the hat.
- Is the art of millinery by hand in danger of being lost?
- Sadly, yes. Portugal is one of the biggest producers of felt for hats exported all over the world, but unfortunately we lost key manufacturers and artisans. I feel I am contributing to keep the craftsmanship alive.
Sofia Caldas is a rising star: she began her career in 2019 and she started teaching in 2023
Where
Sofia Caldas
