#MCCOTCrush {32}
Sugri
Tokyo
Japan
Wearing a hat had been a tradition for centuries. Throughout history, hats have been used as a symbol of power, authority, and wealth. As well as a common male and female fashion key accessory that reflects the trend of the moment. Unfortunately nowadays, this elegant and popular habit has almost disappeared. Hats are, most of the time, used to protect one's self from the sun in summer or the cold in winter. But recently something is changing. Passionate artisan milliners, from all around the world, have not said their last word. On the contrary, lots of them are willing to finally restore this emblematic garment to its importance in the modern daily wardrobe. Talented and passion-driven Japanese hatmaker Kyoko Sasaki is one of them. Since 2002, the year she established her label Sugri, the founder is proudly focused on celebrating this precious Art and craftsmanship. Born and raised in a family of hobbyists (gardeners, hunters and creators), she has trained and learned the know-how and the secrets of hatmaking to become a skilled artisan. By listening to her heart and current feelings, Kyoko, who has inherited an exquisite taste from her elegant mother, enjoys innovating and pursuing new forms and letting her creativity flow. The act of decorating one's head makes her really happy. Deeply inspired by the love of Beauty and nostalgic about the 1940s and 1950s when women used to wear dramatic and elegant items, she creates one-of-a-kind and iconic-to-be artisanal masterpieces as hats and head accessories. Handcrafted in her kyoto-based atelier, her stylish and timeless creations for modern women are characterized by a classic and sophisticated design mixed with a personal contemporary touch and signature: a kind of love affair between old school romance and modern practicality. "The aim is to create pieces that blend with our modern day-to-day scenery whilst maintaining a certain romance as can be observed in the use of flowers, ribbons and tulle. The designs seem like fantasy at first glance but are practical. Likewise, I wanted to make a hat I could wear for gardening, It has a small crown with a wide brim at one end, and if you wrap a thin ribbon around your neck and tie it, it won't blow away in the wind, and contrary to its appearance, it is a very practical item for work." she tells. At Sugri, each little detail matters. Choosing only high quality materials is an absolute priority: standard felt and wheat blades but also vintage materials like silk organdy, tulle, deadstock braids, antique parts, embroidery, beading and flower applied by hand. Elegance is back for good. And we love it.
