My Story

Ellen Christine Couture

“No More Naked Heads”, quotes the New York Times. That’s the mission. We put hats on heads on the covers of Vogue, of Harper’s Bazaar, and in the artistic pages of W Magazine. Whether your name is recognized in the headlines, or within your own circle, my hats will fit. Any mood, any occasion.

Backstory
Design school in Boston, where I ran the costume department at Strutters, now Bobby’s from Boston. Back then, Bobby had just bought an estate that included hundreds of hats, still in their boxes, never worn. The darlings were crushed by time and gravity, and the restoration became my first major millinery project.

Moving to New York in the 1980’s, still making hats, I pursued a Masters and Doctorate in costume history at New York University. One of my favorite projects during those years was working in the studio of theatrical costume-maker Barbara Matera with the crew on Beauty and the Beast.

From that groundwork came a little shop in Chelsea called Ellen Christine Millinery, where for 16 years, our jewelbox of a store provided stylists, editors and customers alike with fantasy. Now, we build wholesale, private label and our own collections throughout the year. Make an appointment, come to the showroom to see our newly created pieces, our projects on the drawing table, and find something magical for yourself. Be you bride, performer, or housewife, we aim to please.

In 2015, I became the President of the Milliners Guild, an organization of millinery small business owners, milliners who specialize in design, production, and promotion of handmade head-wear. This position has given me the opportunity to not only explore the world of millinery but also to educate and counsel other parties to help enrich their knowledge of the industry.