Conversations with Debra Shirley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debra Shirley.

Hi Debra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My grandmother taught me to sew on her 1950’s Singer sewing machine when I was nine years old. Around the same, I became enamored with Princess Diana and borrowed a book from the library on her. She was so stunningly beautiful in all the hats that she wore that I’m certain she seared my young brain into linking beauty with hat wearing. I was a creative teenager and expressed myself through my clothing and hairstyles., often embellishing or repurposing garments that I found at thrift stores to put together unusual outfits to wear to High School. After graduation, I enrolled myself into Ray College of Design in Chicago and studied draping, flat pattern and sewing. During the summer term, the class that I wanted to take was filled, so I ended up taking a Millinery class to not be idle. My teacher was a very talented Milliner named Veronica Chin who is still designing wonderful hats to this day.

Almost from the beginning, it felt as if I already knew how to do some of the techniques involved in hat making. The skills came very natural for me, which was strange because up until then, I was never a good student. I took a second millinery class, then a third that needed to be added to the school’s curriculum. Instead of finishing Fashion School, I took a job as a Bridal Milliner at a high-end bridal salon where I worked full time for 22 years with brides to create Headpieces and Veiling to complement their Wedding Gowns. My passion for hats was always in the back of my head, especially period replica headwear and I would create pieces for myself to wear and occasionally design for local theatre, but I did not fully have the confidence to put my designs out in the world until 2014 when a Chicago Millinery Historian name Mary Robak reached out to me after seeing my Millinery website. She was very complimentary about my work and invited me to a dinner with all hat wearers! They are a group of lovely ladies who meet once a month, eat, drink, and look fabulous in hats! I have meet some remarkable women who in their appreciation of my designs, have made me realize that my creativity could be enjoyed on a larger scale. I started designing headwear of all kinds including Period Inspired Reproduction Hats, Kentucky Derby style Fascinators, and playful Themed Party Hats!

For many years my big dream was to design hats for film and television. I knew that if I was ever going to make that dream a reality, I would need to make a big move. I can honestly say that for far too many years, it was pure fear and doubt in my own talents that kept me from relocating to Los Angeles. With the support of a lovely group of friends (some hat wearers) I decided to take the leap of faith! In the spring of 2019, I packed up my apartment and only took with me items that would make a future hat! The first six months of being in LA, I hit the ground running, trying to make as many connections as I could in the costume world. Then Covid hit, and the world seemed to stop. During lockdown one of the contacts that I had made told me that a new Costume Shop called Northern Costume was looking for a milliner to add to their dream team. I interviewed with them and they hired me! They have since flipped Union which means that I can now work towards accumulating days to apply for membership in the Motion Pictures Costumers Union IATSE 705. I am truly grateful for the opportunity as it gets me closer to designing on an even larger scale than I thought possible!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest struggle for me is to overcome those moments of self-doubt that still creep up in my head. It’s a little voice that jumps up first to shout, “I can’t do it”! I have learned to gently remind myself that in fact “I can do it”!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Milliner (a headwear designer), specializing in period replica hats, wedding veils, fascinators and themed headwear. For more than 25 years, I focused on Bridal Millinery where I worked closely with thousands of Brides in selecting the perfect headpiece and veiling to compliment the Bride’s Wedding gown. In doing so, over the years, I feel that one of my biggest strengths is that I truly listen to my clients. I listen to their needs and concerns and offer as many creative ideas that I can to give the client as much information as possible to make a confident decision. That easily translates to my hat and fascinator clients, some of which are purchasing a piece for the very first time. There is a bit of magic that happens, I have seen it and felt it. At first, the woman is too shy to even try the piece on. We all need encouragement to be fabulous. Sometimes we feel like we need permission. That’s what the hat does. First she feels almost silly, she wants to laugh until she sees herself in a mirror, that’s when the silly goes away, and the magic hits. She realizes that not only does she look pretty, she feels pretty. There is a true joy to it. That is what I feel best about, that something I’ve created with my hands and my imagination has brought joy to another.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I would like to add… If there is anyone reading this that has a dream of any kind, take small steps every day to get where you want to go. Don’t let fear win.

Pricing:

• Small Headpieces from $28-$ 125
• Fascinators from $75-$225
• Larger Hats from $225-$450
• Custom Wedding Veils $75-$1,200

Contact Info:

• Email: debrashirley1111@yahoo.com
• Website: www.millineryetc.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/DEBRASHIRLEY1111/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/millineryetc