SARA CZOSNYKA – PROCESS AND CONTENT
Sara Czosnyka is the 25 year old Chicago-born owner and designer of Process and Content, a company dedicated to producing truly unique statement hats crafted from unusual raw materials and colourful fabrics, and featuring unusual embellishments including animal parts; fur, bones, teeth, feathers and even beetle shells have adorned her designs. Each of the hats is individually constructed and completely handmade, a fusion of classic style and more daring experimentalism. Sounds bizarre, but her hats- including fedoras, trilbies and pork pies- are nonetheless extremely wearable for those who like their headwear on the edgy side.
Why did you decide to specialise in millinery?
Making and designing hats is such a multifaceted experience, and a neglected art. I was drawn in by the process, then coupled it with material exploration and I found myself with a product that could fill a void in the market.
Throughout history, the hat has remained a wardrobe staple. Why do you think hats are so important in fashion?
Hats are so versatile in developing your visual character. They resolve casual and formal outfits into finished looks.
What makes a good hat?
Innovation, quality materials, construction and fit.
How do you decide on materials, embellishments and hat shapes?
I give classics a fresh voice by showcasing the materials often in the simplest light. Texture, clean lines and ingenuity are all important elements to my designs.
How long does it take to produce a hat?
The design of hats can take me minutes to hours. That coupled with labour, it can take 3-5 hours per hat.
Do you prefer to make your own hats or create custom styles?
I like the freedom of making my own styles, but I also appreciate the exploration process that someone else’s direction can take me.
Are your designs influenced by your own personal style?
I surround myself with things that draw me in, be that a designer chair, untrained art, handmade shoes or a $5 string of African beads. I like things that have a story, a process and made of authentic materials. They all have value and influence me.
Who would you most like to design a hat for, and what would it look like?
Leonard Cohen. I would let him stay with his stingy brim fedoras, perhaps a navy felt, with a different neutral coloured ribbon and binding. I would love to embellish the hat based on one of his beautiful metaphors, like having a bright, multicoloured feather, knotted up in brass wire that is pulled taught between two points on the hat, keeping the hat like him, simple, classic and inspired.
Sara’s Designs are available at processandcontent.com
Words Kay Weston
THEFASHIONISTAHASSPOKEN.BLOGSPOT.COM
