This week on The Materialist , I sit down with milliner and creative force Gigi Burris , founder of Gigi Burris Millinery and the nonprofit Closely Crafted , which champions artisanal production in the U.S. We talk about how Gigi went from sewing hats as a Parsons student to dressing Rihanna and being a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist—while keeping her studio (and her soft-coated Wheaten Terrier shipping manager, Brooklyn Bow) right in the heart of Chinatown. She shares what it means to build a niche brand in an age of sameness, the surprisingly diverse world of hat-wearers, and why confidence is the accessory that really matters. Highlights from our conversation: * ✂️ The difference between a milliner and a millionaire (and why she hopes to be both one day) * 👒 How Rihanna ended up in a senior thesis hat from Parsons * 🧵 The Vogue Fashion Fund bootcamp that shaped her business * 🇯🇵 Why Japanese department stores get everything first * 🎯 Closely Crafted’s mission to revive U.S.-based artisan production * 💡 “If you're going to be intentional about the way you dress, why would you not do so from head to toe?” * 👛 Shout-outs to fellow makers: Eve Fehren , Lizzie Fortunato , Don’t Let Disco , and Underwater Weaving Studio . Gigi Burris O’Hara at her studio and store in Chinatown, NYC Marc Bridge wearing a Gigi Burris Hat Pin as a Lapel Pin, NYC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit atpresent.substack.com
