Branding and networking in a metropolis day 1

We took the night plane from Copenhagen on Friday night. And, OF COURSE, the first disaster had to come before we even left Sweden.

At Copenhagen Airport: Viktoria is checking out the London map.

When we parked at the trian station in Malmö I noticed that my heavy suitcase only had one wheel! While Viktoria bought tickets for the train I raced over to Biltema and bought a new suitcase in 3 minutes. Repacked everything in 2 minutes and headed back to the train station. Got back before the train left… Finally, after loads of trouble with checking in our luggage (I will never ever fly with Easyjet again!!) we thought we would have some time at the nice shopping mall at Kastrup, but we only had some tapas and the ran off for the gate.

When we got to London it was quite late so we parted; Viktoria went to her son’s apartment and I went to my hotel. The incident with the trunk kind of gave the tone of the whole trip and it took me more than an hour to go from Victoria to Edgware Road due to trains that got stuck somewhere…

Sold three hats!

I’m home. Waiting for the pizza to arrive. The Christmas fair at Ninni’s studio was super nice, with the perfect Christmas feeling. I sold three hats and I’m so pleased.

The problem is that I have found myself in an anti-climax. I have worked so hard and prepared so much for London next weekend and I’m not ready yet, and since yesterday I have prepared for the Christmas show today. So now all energy has poured out of me.

But pizza is on its way! And if I go up in the studio I will put on my cd-book and will hear the last chapter Time to get ready for London!

Christmas Exihibition

My dear friend, Ninni, is arranging a Christmas House tomorrow, Saturday 28th of Dec 13-16. She has moved her Chiropractor studio – Pagelsborgs kiropraktik – and is inviting customers, friends anD potential customers to an open house, with a fire, ginger cookies and glögg in Silpinge.

She also invited local food producers and designers to present and sell their products. I have just been up to Silpinge to arrange my collection of wearable art and already know it’s going to be a fantastic day with Christmas spirit in the air.

Some of the companies that are going to be at Ninni’s place tomorrow: Dancing Nun/Ava Nord, Veras hus, Mairo, In My House.

Eggs from the village of Silpinge

Wood for the fire in charming locally created bags

Finally, the christmas tree looks like it standing straight...

My hats are lined up and ready for the crowd...

Visiting Gillis in Brussels

Today I had a wonderful experience. We’re visiting my brother and his family in Brussels and of course I had to look up a millinery. I found by accident Gillis & Sr on 17 rue du Lombard. The owner was happy to know that I also make hats and we talked about today’s trends we see in hats and I was invited down in the basement where they work with the blocks. They have over a hundred blocks which origin from all decades since 1910. Fantastic!

Thanks for a very special moment in Brussels!

Gillis is still working with traditional techniques in felt and straw and I enjoyed seeing shapes that I had seen in other milliner shops with tradition. They have a nice and strict style, where the ribbons contrast the felt. Completely in my taste!

Party tonight!

Tonight I’m going to a birthday party and of course I need something to wear. I have spent the morning in the studio making a headpiece. The material is vintage cotton ribbons from one Sweden’s most interesting fashion designers during the 60′s and 70′s – Katja of Sweden.

I am so pleased with the result

Hat parade in Brantevik

Some weeks ago my friend and my two daughters went to Brantevik for a hat parade. It was completely local and we were considered aliens, but were welcomed to the event. There was no announcement on the web, just a flier in a store.

It turned out to one of this summer’s most rainy days, but it didn’t stop anyone. My daughter won a designer top for her beautiful hat (which I had made).

Jane hat

When the coffee was out and everyone went home in the rain one of the judges stopped me and said: “You made four fantastic hats” and then she gave me a designer umbrella as a special prize.

Daughter, friend & daughter

Pia hat

The prize winning Jane hat

Britta hat

A wonderful old fashioned coffee party

The winner of the "most beautiful hat" prize

The personel at the coffee house wore the most beautiful headpiece (in my opinion)