Charlotte Kollmann

Hauptsache Charlotte

Milliner

©Nicole Kraiker Photographie

When mother knows best

Charlotte's designs emerge spontaneously during the making
She experiments with traditional forms and diverse materials
Her workshop is in her home village in the Moselle region

Luckily her mother was in need of a new hat otherwise Charlotte Kollmann might never have considered taking up her craft. “My mother made me aware of the craft of a milliner,” she says. “She was absolutely sure that this was exactly the right thing for me to do, but I was very sceptical.” However, it only took a three-day trial to change her mind. “From then on, I was fascinated and didn't want to do anything else.” That fascination has lasted ever since, and Charlotte's works have become synonymous with quality and timeless elegance. “In the end it is simple: be passionate about what you are doing or don't do it at all,” she explains with a wink.

Interview

©Nicole Kraiker Photographie

What keeps your fascination going?: The versatility of materials – straw, felt, feathers and pearls, silk and ribbons – in combination with the freedom of form it allows for new creations. Even though every hat starts with a simple wooden form that defines the basic shape, there are infinite possibilities.
Do you always know what the result will be?: No, quite the opposite. Most of the time, the final shape of a hat emerges while I am working on it. I have to keep a close eye on what happens to the material during the process and what goes with it. It is a spontaneous process; my ideas just arrive unexpectedly.
Is there a hat for every head?: A lot of people think their facial features or head shape are not suitable for wearing a hat, but behind this assumption is usually uncertainty and lack of an eye for shape and proportion. Anyone can wear a hat, you just have to find the right one. I assist my customers in finding the right shape, and if none already exists, I will make one.
How has the relevance of your craft changed over time?: In the past, hats were part of everyday life for both men and women. Today the hat is primarily a fashion accessory. However, people are increasingly aware of sun protection and are starting to wear hats more frequently again. It is a practical and fashionable piece of clothing with a long tradition, which I want to preserve and pass on to the next generation.

Charlotte Kollmann is a master artisan: she began her career in 2008 and she started teaching in 2016