Fashion Friday

Accessories!

What’s the best way to make an outfit unique? Accessories - which is the topic of today's Fashion Friday. Let’s start at the top with hats!

Sarah Azzouzi, the proprietor behind Zzouzi Hats has been concocting creative headwear since she started studying in the fashion department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She focuses her energy on high end hat-making, but also creates dozens of dazzling hair clips, headbands, and fascinators for the more faint at heart. I sat down with the milliner on Thursday to learn more about her business and her designs. Here are some highlights from our conversation:

BPC: So, what made you first decide to get into headwear?
SA: While attending The School of the Art Institute of Chicago I took a variety of different Fashion classes, and I realized I liked sculptural hands on fashion, so it was suggested to me that I try a Millinery course. When I first took it, I was a bit unsure, but I fell in love with the process, and I've been doing it ever since. When I told my mom what I wanted to focus on a while later, she laughed because she always used to put me in hats and I hated them; I guess that's just irony for you.

BPC: Tell me about your favorite piece that you’ve made.
SA: My favorites have got to be the ones I go crazy making. It seems the more the hat drives me crazy, the more I end up liking the hat. A few of my favorites are the ones that include the screen printing process, and the hats that use an alternative process to create them.

BPC: Who is your favorite fashion designer, hat or otherwise?
SA: When thinking about fashion designers, I do not have a favorite. I find it too difficult to pick one. I really enjoy the obscure hat designs of Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones. I also like the collaborative designs of Elsa Schiaparelli and surrealist artists.

BPC: Other than hats, what do you think is the most important accessory?
SA: I have a personal attachment to scarves and earrings, but it really depends on the season and outfit. Importance is determined by what outfit you're wearing that day.

BPC: What advice can you give for someone who would like to add millinery to their wardrobe?
SA: Keep it simple if you do. If the hat is a loud piece then like with any other [loud] accessory your outfit should be neutral. If you want to glam up an outfit, a hat is definitely the way to go! Straw hats are a great casual look for the summer, while felt hats in different shapes will look fabulous with a classy winter coat!

Zzouzi hats are available at Local Lookbook in Chicago, plus you can follow Sarah’s blog or become a fan on facebook, plus she has a new website coming soon.

For the casual belt shopper looking for something fashionable and functional, I would recommend Hollywood Mirror in Chicago, where one can find a matching belt, necktie, earrings and doormat (no joke). However, for something really unique, check out these fused glass belt buckles by artist Laurie Freivogel. Taking inspiration from pop culture, nature, and patterns, and utilizing her love of drawing and screen printing, she creates simple, elegant, and stylish glass pieces that work well to accent any outfit or dress. These are some of my favorites:





Plus she does custom messages on this adorable tattoo heart design!


Find her belt buckles and other glass art at her website or become a fan on her facebook

Let's not forget about shoes – the most important part! I just got my pair of Zombie Stompers from Iron Fist which I am so excited about, but for a noteworthy handmade shoe, check out the cute “infinite sandal” by Mohop in Chicago. Annie Mohaupt, the designer behind Mohop, designs and creates wooden soles and separate ribbons that can be changed out depending on your mood, outfit, or occasion. See her limited editions on etsy or see all of your options on her website.

Last but not at all least is jewelry; spice up any outfit and make a statement with bold pieces that show off your personality like these from Belindabilly:





Plus, this week only, all jewelry on Belindabilly.com is 20% off!