Yerevan

For the past three seasons I have been madly obsessed with AMC’s original series, “Mad Men.” Not only has the ever so intriguing Don Draper replaced my Sunday evenings of “Sopranos,” but also I have found myself drawn to the classic, dashing, and timeless attire of the series. Costume designer Janie Bryant’s careful styling of the successful hit, has given new light to the ultra chic look of the 1960’s by modifying an era that changed fashion forever. With each passing season I found myself even more drawn to Betty Draper’s full skirts, Joan Harris’ gold pen necklace, and various hats worn by the women.

Fast-forward to 2010 and one can see that hats are coming back into style. With a quest to find the perfect cappello, I stumbled upon the one of a kind handcrafted design of Rehn Dudukgian’s Bijou Van Ness. I first noticed the young designer’s creations sculpted on the heads of Perez Hilton, Jennifer Wayne, Tia Carrere, and Annalynne McCord to name a few. And when Ms. Lady Gaga herself stated, “I can’t sleep, your hat was major last night. It needs to be archived .x” about Perez’s Bijou Van Ness hat; I knew I had to get a hold of the avant-garde milliner. After a busy weekend of dressing the heads of numerous Grammy nominated singers, we were able to sit down for some tea, cake, and top hats.

“I never thought I would get into designing hats. I went from getting a MBA to following my passions. After traveling all over Europe and Asia, I decided to do what I love.” Her fervor can be tasted in each weave of her straw hats, the careful edging of the silk linings, and the jeweled embossed headbands. Her unique aim has been the influence of her travels from the Orient to the cobbled stoned streets of Paris. Sewing with her grandmother’s vintage Singer, each hat is created with the past entrenched within the stitching.

I instantly fall in love with her “Av Revoir Monsieur” hat, lined with purple taffeta, a vintage flower bouquet, and chenille dot veiling. It’s a combination of Edith Piaf with a splash of Jackie O circa the Millennium. Her delicate detailing and intricate shaping of the hat, fit like a glove. It instantly took my jeans and white t-shirt combination and turned it into an evening out.

Nearly 50 years has passed from the world where glove compartments in cars were strictly for your driving gloves, cocktail hours a necessity, and leaving your house sans a chapeau was a major faux pas. If it was ever a question whether history repeats itself, the return of hats is a definite sign. As this L.A. girl packs her New York gear to brave the east coast snow, I know what will be keeping my head warm during fashion week. What better way to greet cocktail hour in the City then with Bijou Van Ness.