February 17, 18 and 19, 2012
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The Woman Behind the Hats
Milliner M. Susan Freese has been interested in crafts, art, and fashion since she was a small child. Susan has always loved fashion, especially the millinery styles of the early 20th century.
She's taken multiple millinery classes at Judith M Millinery Supply in LaGrange, Indiana. Further studies included instruction under Wayne Wichern at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina in summer 2010 and in summer 2008 at Penland under Ignatius Creegan and Rod Givens.
All of her millinery designs are totally original and unique, employing traditional millinery methods of hand blocking and handwork just as was done before factory mass-production.
Susan loves millinery, not only for the creative and beauty aspects, but also for the new people that she has met through her hats. She designed hats initially to give women something pretty to wear, but has found out that the majority aren’t buying her hats as high fashion, but as amusing accessories used for fun and creative expression.
Runner-up in Pattern Competition! See the hatShe has taught costume and design related classes at Butler University and Marian College in Indianapolis.
Susan lives near Amity, Indiana with her son, four cats and two dogs.