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EDITORIAL

The Amuse Muse

Jennifer Kofler, Owner of Vivian Blooms, enables clients to celebrate life’s moments with fanciful headwear. Vivian Blooms helps clients, stylists and fellow designers find headwear for special events with an enchanting collection of handmade millinery filled with fun and whimsy for all ages. Explore the intricate details, elements, and seasonal trends captivating the attention of the world’s elite designers and stylists.


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Moevir Magazine April Issue 2024 featured edition



[ The Amuse Muse  ]

magcloud.com/browse/issue/2755725



Milliner: Jennifer Kofler @jennifer.kofler.vivianblooms

Photographer: Richard Cummings @rickphotostudio

Wardrobe Stylist: vivianblooms.com @jennifer.kofler.vivianblooms

Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Jen Murphy @thejenmurphy

Female Model: Dana Martin @nxt model @danamartin_



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How do you incorporate current fashion trends into your hat designs?


As a designer, it's essential to draw inspiration from the latest trends and fashions on the runway. However, true creativity lies in transforming and interpreting these trends in your unique way, taking them to new heights, and making them your own. By putting your spin on things, you can create something truly special and stand out from the crowd. Remember, it's not just about following trends but also about creating your riff and making a statement with your designs.




Could you describe your creative process when designing a new hat collection?


Creating unique headwear starts with an idea. I research designs that interest me, and every detail counts, from blocking to securing the headwear. I don't scratch unless it's bespoke; instead, I enjoy the magic of bringing all the elements together. It's a joyous journey of discovery where creativity and imagination come into play. Consider every detail, and you can create a headpiece that tells a story.




What materials do you prefer to work with when creating hats, and why?


I prefer using sinamay and straw buntal for spring and summer, while wool hoods and buckram are better for cooler seasons.




How do you balance functionality and style in your hat designs?


Vivian Blooms' creations are a celebration of the human connection and the joy it brings. They are designed to evoke responses, and playful memories and inspire you to cherish every moment of interaction with others while adding a touch of elegance to your appearance. Let your head adornment be the symbol of your passion for life and your commitment to living it to the fullest.




Can you share any insights into the cultural significance of hats in fashion?


According to Kofler, hats have a magical quality that transforms how a person looks and feels the moment they put them on. Hats are an excellent way to express a person's inner truth and personality. They have the power to enhance and transform the wearer, and are incredibly versatile, serving as symbols of both style and frivolity, as well as seriousness and sadness. 


Millinery helps create a special atmosphere for many occasions, marking their significance and importance. From weddings to funerals, headwear plays a significant role in announcing the event's importance. Wearing headpieces serves as a tangible reminder of life's most meaningful, and significant events.




What do you think sets your hat designs apart from others in the industry?


Kofler creates each flower using the finest natural fabrics of velvet, silk, leather, and linen. With this process, the natural fiber is starched and then hung to dry. The flower petals are then cut out of the stiffened fabric. Each is then crafted by hand. The flowers are manipulated by heat, twisted and turned, then worked into arrangements and attached to the custom-made base.




What advice would you give to aspiring hat designers who are just starting in the industry?


Jennifer's advice is to keep pushing forward, even in the face of failure. “The more we put into our work, the more quickly we can develop our ideas. The process of designing headwear is both a challenge and a delight, as it requires us to solve puzzles and tease out our creativity. I am currently experimenting with ways to suspend feathers above my hat's base - and I know that with persistence and hard work, I'll find the solution I'm looking for.”




Can you share any memorable experiences or anecdotes from your career as a hat designer?


In May 2014, I went to Discovery Bay in Hong Kong for an outdoor sale with my daughter Vivian. Despite the challenges of doing an outdoor sale during the rainy season, I was determined to showcase my handmade goods. However, fate had other plans, and I only managed to sell the flower-covered headbands I had made on a whim.


As I sat in the hotel's in-house dining room, I was struck by the sight of a wedding taking place. The beautiful ladies wearing feathers, crystals, bows, and flowers on their heads inspired me. I knew then that creating pretty things for women to wear on their heads was my true calling.


The experience taught me that sometimes, what seems like a setback can lead us to our destiny. So, I continued to pursue my passion for making beautiful headbands and fascinators, and it has brought me great joy and fulfillment.




How do you see the future of hat fashion evolving in the next decade?


Jennifer thinks that wearing headwear will be more important as we get closer to the next decade due to the changes in our climate and the more severe weather we will experience. It will be necessary to have appropriate headwear for protection against the elements. For instance, wide-brim hats for summer and warm knitted hats for winter months.




Are there any sustainable practices or ethical considerations you integrate into your hat design and production process?


Vivian Blooms is leading a revival of bespoke craftsmanship in the fashion industry, countering the trend of fast fashion and mass production. Founder and creative director, Jennifer Kofler, emphasizes the importance of their approach, bringing back the art of handcrafting, creating wearable art rather than mere accessories. Kofler's commitment to high-quality, natural materials such as velvet, silk, and linen, sets her creations apart, forging a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry.




What role do hats play in expressing individuality and personal style for your clients?


Jennifer says, “Trying on a headpiece is like a Style Rorschach's test. People project their thoughts and feelings onto the reflection in the mirror. What's important is who they see when they look in the mirror. There's always an immediate reaction to seeing oneself transformed. This may lead to trying on different headpieces to see how they make you look and feel. The wearer should feel.  Playful, beautiful, enchanting, dramatic, etc. The wearer will hopefully experience the headpieces’ special power of transformation.”




How do you approach collaborations with other fashion designers or brands when creating hat collections?


Inspired by various runway shows, I have created unique ensembles that incorporate additional headwear. These outfits are not only stylish but also serve as a form of self-expression. You can elevate your fashion game and stand out from the crowd with these head-turning looks.




What do you enjoy most about being a hat designer, both personally and professionally?


Jennifer says, "Marking headwear has become a great passion of mine. I am truly grateful for the gift of being able to follow this interest. Pursuing this path has taught me the poetic irony of turning inward. Creating headpieces takes a lot of time and energy, but it's all worth it when you are doing something you love for someone's special event. Although it's a solitary pursuit, I believe that pursuing what you enjoy can lead to great things. It challenges you to step out of your comfort zone and grow as a person."




Can you tell us about any upcoming hat designs or projects you're currently working on?


At Vivianblooms.com, we believe that a hat is not just an accessory, but a statement of personal style and confidence. With our expert styling advice and wide range of headwear products, we aim to empower hat lovers to take their fashion game to the next level. Whether you're attending a special event or just want to add a touch of elegance to your everyday look, Vivian Blooms has everything you need to express yourself and feel inspired.


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