Maison Michel Paris

Lace, wide brim Hat, by special order Maison Michel Paris Couture (photo from Maison Michel)

With no time to buy a new frock, one looks for the right accessory to enhance that dress for the New Years Eve Party. One of the best accessories is a hat from master milliner Maison Michel. In 1936, Hat maker Auguste Michel found his company on rue Saint Anne in Paris, giving birth to a generation of haute couture milliners. In 1996, on a mission to save the heritage of struggling haute couture ateliers, Chanel took over the house for its survival in the modern world. Maison Michel began making hats for couture houses such as Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Christian Lacroix, in 1980. Not until 2006, the house launches its own ready-to-wear collection, under the direction of Laetitia Crahay, who was head accessories and jewelry designer at Chanel. Maison Michel Paris is now a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, presenting their collections during Paris Couture fashion week.

The house now offers a made-to-measure service of one-of-a-kind Hats, for both men and women. The atelier creates classic fedoras, to unique beaded head bands. One can select a design from their seasonal collection, which is made-to-order, and hand made by the Paris atelier. A hat can take three to four weeks for a haute couture design and can cost up to $4,300.00, depending on the complexity of the design and its material. Maison Michel ready-to-wear is available at netaporter.com and it's huate couture line is available by appointment only at Maison Michel showroom on rue Sainte Anne,Paris (www.michel-paris.com).