About Lisa
It was in Boston in 1988 when a woman wearing a hat, passing by on a bus, inspired my first creation. I wanted a hat like that and decided I would make it myself. Other people liked what I did and I found myself making more. Before I knew it, I was quite involved in designing, making, and selling flat-pattern fabric-built hats. They were beautiful, sculptural pieces yet comfortable enough for wearing in the real world.

Fast-forward to 2003. After a few years away from making hats I began again, working from a storefront in Provincetown, Massachusetts. That's when I discovered the beauty of Toyo.

Currently I have a working studio, focusing on designing for individuals and specialty stores.

See feature about Lisa's hats in July/August 2007 UK textile magazine Selvedge - here

About Toyo

What is toyo? The raw material, from Asia, is tough, thin and fibrous. The end product is a 1/4" thick straw braid, light-weight and flexible.

I begin each hat in the moment by sewing the braid around and around to itself. Decisions about shape are made as the hat grows. There are no patterns and no two hats are exactly alike. Adding fabric-draping skills to a shape created in this way takes the work to another level.

Working with toyo in this manner has inspired my most lively and organic forms.

Have a look at the Collection & Specials - and see for yourself.

Hat Care

• TRAVEL the lightweight, flexibility of toyo makes it easily packable and ideal for traveling. just pack it in your suitcase.
• WET water doesn't seem to hurt it (though salt water would eventually as it does with anything).
• SUN sunlight will fade color over time...but age can be beautiful, too!
• SHRINKAGE i haven't heard any problems with shrinking but i imagine if you were to throw it in a hot dryer you could end up with a smaller hat.
• WRINKLE if your hat gets more wrinkled than you like, you can use an iron to press it, just not too hot. also, i've sort of sponged it down and let it dry and wrinkles lessen.
• CLEANING if you want to clean your toyo: lightly sponge with mild soap, cool water and air dry out of hot sun. try tissue paper inside as it drys.
• AGE as with any organic material, toyo will deteriorate over time.