The Mad Hatter: Nick Fouquet

Several weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting milliner Nick Fouquet in his killer studio space in Venice Beach, California, located on the historical shopping Boulevard, Abbot Kinney. Finding his store is kind of like finding a gem: you have to search. Situated in the back garage of Left.House, a bungalow shop focused on showcasing local artisans, Nick and his team create astounding hats, empasizing on craftsmanship. What sets Nick’s hats apart are the unconventional methods he employs, like setting hats on fire or painting them by hand, leaving each one perfectly unique. Unique enough that Madonna and Pharrell took notice and both wore custom hats on the Grammy’s stage this year. When asked  if he could craft a hat for anyone, dead or alive, “Keith Richards,” was his immediate answer, and I think that’s totally do-able. While there, I was able to see Nick do a fitting for a custom hat and throughout the process, I saw his inner “Mad Hatter” come to life. As he says “A hat is your soulmate and finding the right one is like dating.”  I would like to date any of Nick Fouquet’s hats, wouldn’t you? Thank you Nick for opening your space to us!

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Inspiration everywhere: I find inspiration from traveling, music, nature, movies, homeless people, art galleries, life . . .

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Most non traditional tool:  paint

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The story behind Madonna, Pharrell and the Grammys: they wanted bad ass real handmade hats, so we did just that!

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You say you are part human/part animal, so what animal are you? I guess a squirrel.

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Dream client: Keith Richards

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Proudest achievement: A hat I made for my mother last week.

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(Photography by Jessie Webster)

Leave a Comment

26 Comments

  1. STEL Style wrote:

    I a big fan of hats, they made you look different and cool!! really interesting post!

    http://www.stelstyle.com

    2.6.14
    Reply
  2. Dena wrote:

    Awesome. Great photos! And, uh… Mr. Fouquet is pretty easy on the eyes. Bonus.

    2.6.14
    Reply
  3. Mira wrote:

    His hats look so rad. Thanks for sharing 😀

    xx Mira

    http://www.glamdevils.com

    2.6.14
    Reply
  4. Awesome pictures, Now I have to date a perfect soulmate type of hat. hahaha

    http://thinkworkandgo.blogspot.com/

    2.6.14
    Reply
  5. Such fun seeing this!
    really like his hats and he looks cool himself too 🙂

    2.6.14
    Reply
  6. Paty wrote:

    Love your blog!
    I’m posting looks from Los Angeles and accessories:

    http://www.thegavlaks.com

    2.6.14
    Reply
  7. Dominique wrote:

    i like this post! I love hats too 🙂

    xxxx
    http://www.dominiquecandido.com

    2.6.14
    Reply
  8. Lauren wrote:

    These are really cool, I want a hat custom made
    Lauren
    livinginaboxx

    2.6.14
    Reply
  9. Maggie wrote:

    Awesome studio, beautiful hats. What a find!
    -Maggie
    http://www.maggiefinejewelry.com

    2.6.14
    Reply
  10. Wow!
    How cool are those hats?
    And how cool is the place where they work?
    Absolutely in love!
    xx
    Novella

    http://9lla.it/
    A fashion & DIY blog…

    2.6.14
    Reply
  11. Sara wrote:

    Awesome pics. That’s great place. I wanna be there…….

    Custom hat!

    http://www.jetpic.com

    2.6.14
    Reply
  12. Denisa wrote:

    That looks soo creative,

    http://www.fashiondenis.com/

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    Reply
  13. tessa wrote:

    thats awesome

    2.6.14
    Reply
  14. Mary wrote:

    Everything from the website on is amazing. I love the creative energy these hats represent. I am going there next time I am in California. Thank you for sharing this creative souls work!!!

    2.6.14
    Reply
  15. Shelley wrote:

    It’s so cool to see the pictures and how these hats are made. Love it!
    https://www.etsy.com/shop/EarthChildArt?ref=si_shop

    2.6.14
    Reply
  16. Great colors!

    Thanks for sharing.. xxx

    http://everythingfor10pounds.co.uk

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    Reply
  17. Great post! I love hats and this is pure handcraft and art! Love the photographs

    2.7.14
    Reply
  18. Laurel Canyon wrote:

    I thought Pharrell’s hat was a Viv Westwood hat? http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/01/pharrells-grammys-hat-not-so-ridiculous.html

    2.7.14
    Reply
  19. Laurel Canyon wrote:

    Love this story, Honestly WTF and N. Fouquet !

    2.7.14
    Reply
  20. Meet Nick at Barneys NYC while he was doing a trunck show about 18 months ago . Saw his amazing beautiful hats and just felt like it was calling me to wear one . A few months later I went back and my wife bought me my first one for our anniversary, a Bariloche . Then just recently bought a second the Rubin. I wear them all the time rain, sun , winter ,summer always . I think Nicks hats are great they embody a hat that a cowboy would have wore sweating in, workong or riding . I’ll be wearing them as long as I can . I look forward to seeing him again and getting a custom fitted and one when I come to Venice or next time he’s in NYC.
    Cheers Nick,
    Rob Fuggi

    7.2.17
    Reply