Happy 20th Birthday The House Of Hats

This year marks 20 Years since The House of Hats began — and even writing that sentence feels surreal.

What started as a small creative dream has grown, changed, paused, reinvented itself, and somehow endured through every season of my life. Businesses don’t usually last this long, especially creative ones, and especially ones built slowly, by hand, with heart rather than hype.

Twenty years ago, I began making hats because I loved them — the romance, the history, the craftsmanship, the quiet confidence a beautiful hat gives to the person wearing it. I never imagined how deeply intertwined this business would become with my life, or how many chapters it would quietly witness.

Over the years, The House of Hats has lived in studios, spare rooms, shopfronts, arcades, market stalls, and now online. It has survived economic downturns, personal upheavals, moves between cities and states, changing trends, changing bodies, changing priorities — and it’s still here.

That alone feels worth celebrating.

This brand grew as I grew.
It evolved as my taste evolved.
It slowed down when I needed to slow down.

There were times when I chased momentum, and times when I learned that rest and refinement mattered more. There were collections, commissions, bridal pieces, couture moments — and now, a gentler return to wearable, everyday hats made slowly, one at a time, with intention.

I no longer believe a business has to be loud to be successful. Or constant. Or exhausting.

I believe in longevity.
I believe in craftsmanship.
I believe in making beautiful things that last.

Thank you for being here..

If you’ve ever worn one of my hats, supported my work, followed along quietly, or checked in over the years — thank you. Truly.

Small businesses don’t survive 20 years without real people on the other side. Your support has meant more than you probably realise, especially during the harder chapters.

As The House of Hats steps into its third decade, it does so with more clarity, more softness, and more trust than ever before. This is a quieter era. A slower one. But one rooted deeply in experience, skill, and love for the craft.

Here’s to 20 years of hats, stories, reinvention —
and to whatever the next chapter holds 🤍👒👒👒

BY THE SEASIDE - Our SS23/24 Collection

The House Of Hats Newest Collection….’ BY THE SEASIDE ‘ is here just in time for summer.. Step into a world of timeless charm and elegance.

Get ready to elevate your summer style with The House of Hats latest collection of stunning handcrafted hats!

Made from only the finest material and inspired by the timeless fashion of the 1930s our new collection is the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe.

Offering nine new original handcrafted styles exclusive to our brand each delicate piece has been expertly handcrafted in our Sydney Studio by renowned Milliner Ilana Meilak, ensuring that every hat is of the highest quality and designed to last.

We’ve added our signature style of adding vintage trims and buckles to this collection to keep it authentic to the era.

Whether you’ve looking for a stylist for a day at the beach, a chic addition to your summer outfit or simply want to make a statement at your next event, our new collection has something for everyone.

So why wait? head over to our shop to view tghe full collection or pop into our Sydney Showroom to try them all on in person.

Trust us, you wont be disappointed…..

ilana is wearing our AHOY MINI BOATER in French Navy

Watch our ‘ BY THE SEASIDE Campaign Video to view the Collection