Trends may come and go, but there’s one that has dominated through and from the moment of its creation was the Hat. No matter the decade, season, or occassion, the hat is a leader in fashion. It carries a bold statement with the ease of simplicity, switching from day to night and formal to casual in a matter of seconds. Designers are constantly challenged with the task of creating new trends, however; only a handful become legendary. For MY BOB co-designer, Monseiur Geoffroy Moreels of Brussel’s; creating trends appears to be an ease. Just when you think there are no new ways of re-creating the hat, he’s the man you seek out. Headwear was seen all over the runways this season, Metrovelvet had the pleasure of speaking with Moreels to find out more on the subject of hats, and MY BOB.
Fabio: Hello Mr. Moreels, thank you for taking the time in speaking with us. Can you tell us how did you become interested in millinery?
Mr. Moreels: I’ve been always interested in hats, actually I have a collection of some tribal headwear and pieces from all over the world.
Fabio: Did you always knew you would become a designer?
Mr. Moreels: I always have been creative, I never thought I would develop a accessory brand after doing a career for more than 12 years internationally. I enjoy working with creative people as much as I work with professional people. I am a loyal person, and in my previous job I learned a lot; but I always wanted to start my own business and that’s why I started MY BOB.
Fabio: 3-12 years is alot, where did you previously work?
Mr. Moreels: I worked for a Swedish multi-national company producing hygiene products. Something totally different but it was a fantastic school.
Fabio: Where and how did you learn millinery?
Mr. Moreels: I’m not a milliner by formation, what I’ve learned is through my passion for collecting hats and “hands on” experience developing MY BOB together with Alberto.
Fabio: When did you make the decision to bring Alberto Ibarretxe into the company? and why?
Mr. Moreels: I was starting to trade with Panama hats, the classic ones. I met Alberto, he was persuing another project in fashion and he started to advice me in terms of style and fashion until we decided of working together. I was out of the industry, and he contributes with his vision as I contribute to carry on the business.
Fabio: Can you describe the first hat you made.
Mr. Moreels: The first hat I made was with Alberto, the result was the brainstorm of the first collection. It was what we call now the Beach Hat.
Fabio: What was My BOB’s first job?
Mr. Moreels: Our first collaboration was with N.D.C., a shoe brand and we made some Hats with Phyton
Fabio: What are your recent projects?
Mr. Moreels: We just finished our sales campaign for S/S 2012. The excellent results brought much possitivism to our work.
Fabio: Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
Mr. Moreels: At the moment we are starting to work on F/W 2012-13 cllection, we want to develop the look of MY BOB, so besides headwear we are thinking of other items. I always say: focus and work step by step. We get our inspirations from our travels, and everyone we work with, we know personally. We want to know how people work, and be sure that there is good energy between us. We also get inspired from movies. Last but not least, the Art. Specifically paintings that we see or Alberto.
Fabio: What materials and techniques do you favour?
Mr. Moreels: We have been very much into classic materials, straw, cotton, wool, cashmere, etc. However, we are starting to think we’d like blend them with innovative techniques and perhaps new materials. You’ll see.
Fabio: How would you describe your style of hats?
Mr. Moreels: We are somewhere between classic and innovative, you cannot change the shapes of the hats much, they are meant for a function. We either protect or decorate our heads. “The best place in the sun is in the shade” we communicate actively to our customers. We are more focused in the functinality of the hat, and to protect our heads; but at the same time with some style as it show in the vision of our trims. We do not want to re-interpretate the past, nor even anticipate that much of the future.
Fabio: Who do you make hats for?
Mr. Moreels: We make hats just for MY BOB clients at the present time, we have been proposed to make some collaborations, but at the moment we are focused in MY BOB and our clients. MY BOB is for positive people. For people of character and personality that have an interesting input in life. We know that Mrs. Wang from Lanvin has one of our caps. Zaha Hadid has been taken a liking to our hats and Bob Geldof is wearing one of our hats as well. They are people of character, personality, and have an interesting input on life or not?!
Indeed.
Fabio: Who would you love to make a hat for?
Mr. Moreels: For the people I just describe
Fabio: Which other milliners or artists in general do you admire?
Mr. Moreels: Phillip Tracey, I think he is a good one. Stephen Jones, but I also admire alot of the work of some Artisans, that even when they may not be Artists; they are masters at their work.
Fabio: Do you wear your own hats? Or hats in general?
Mr. Moreels: Ofcourse I do! I like it!!! I wear hats, caps, our scarves, I wear MY BOB. I couldn’t sell things I cannot wear, or that if they are too far away from my lifestyle, you have to be consistent.
Fabio: Do you have any other interests, hobbies?
Mr. Moreels: I love Art, Antiques, and Contemporary Art. I would love to do something sporty, but at the moment I cannot find the time or make the time.
Fabio: Any advice you would like to give those who are interested in the field?
Mr. Moreels: Courage…It’s alot of work. A lot. Patience is also very important, take it step by step, keep focus, and always work. Have fun with what you do, and with whom you do it!
So there you have it everyone. Next time you decide to “use your head”, you better think twice about it, and don’t just choose any old hat. Take your time, everything from fabrics, colors, and design are a crucial part in your decision making process. Metrovelvet would like to thank Mr. Geoffroy Moreels and Alberto Ibarretxe of MY BOB for making our life’s a little easier, and our looks much more stylish.
By: Fabio A. Fernandez
Contributing Editor
intern@Metrovelvet.com