My Hat Sales - A Not for Profit Social Enterprise

Social Enterprise, Me, My Mum and Sewing
Its just always been there – SEWING !! I remember even
as a really small child, with just about enough height to see over the table, I watched my mum sew. All our clothes back then were handmade by
her, with such love and care and I know that she poured her creativity into
making them for us. A washing line of pure handmade colour is a memory a lot of neighbours back then commented on !! She certainly passed on that joy to me and a sewing machine has always featured in my life ! With a love for hats too, I set about designing a collection of 1920s inspired hats back in 2012, which has grown over a number of years to 12 designs.
A new addition for 2022, is my ‘ linings of love ‘ option, a printed lining, with inspired messages to remind you to ‘ believe in yourself’ or remember that ‘ you are unique ‘ each time you pop your hat as you look in the mirror ! I
hope to grow this to have more message options this year.

My first collection was inspired by the Mitford sisters, as I was then working at my studio space at Russborough House and one of the ladies, Diana lived there. As the designs grew, I named them after famous Irish women, to remind us of that unique history and the role they have played in making the world we live in now as women.

NOT FOR PROFIT BUT TO GIVE BACK AND INSPIRE
30% of ALL hats ONLINE sales will be dontated to the cost of making hats for women, who through having to have treatment, need to wrap their head in something beautiful !
It was certainly through my work with the Travelling Community that the world of Social Enterprise entered my life. It matters to me, giving back. But mostly it matters to me to inspire women, to keep going. Even if it just a little small step everyday. Just one. There were times in my life, that all I could do was to put one foot in front of the other but slowly, once I believed I could , I began to make changes, more forward and through that have learnt what is so important to me. Thankfully, now, its not all about survival for me now and profits !
This is my give back, to honour all the amazing women that have been in my life, especially my Mum Marie, my Nana Roy and my incredible Aunt Eva, whom without her and all she left me, I would not be here doing this now.
Presently, my hats are available to order online and are stocked at The
Design Loft in Powerscourt and The Design Gallery in Dun Laoghaire.
They have also featured in print media and were mentioned in the ‘What’s Hot in
The Irish Times’……… Evelyn




‘ How a hat makes you feel, is what a hat is all about ‘ … handmade with love and worn by so many !