The Madder Hatters
Diana Niles King and Belle McIntyre, The Madder Hatters partners, have been friends and creative collaborators since the year the year ‘dot.’. Diana ,who had a successfully long career in cosmetics marketing and promotion, frequently called upon Belle, a talented jewelry/accessories designer, to ‘whip up’ some kind of needed accessory for one of Diana’s campaigns. To Belle’s everlasting credit, she has pulled off thousands of adorable little hand sewn silk pouches, designed and upholstered a 15 foot papier mache swan with her feathers and hand sewn Diana’s bridesmaids into their Belle-designed outfits on the way to the church.
Their hat collaboration was unofficially launched when Diana turned to Belle to help ‘animate’ a dismal line of show at home clothes with some much needed accessorizing. Diana thought hats might do the trick and Belle jumped in to bring them to life in her tiny studio workroom. The resulting hats were a hit – the clothes were not; The Madder Hatters became a bright new endeavor for the two friends.
This was six years ago. Since then, The Madder Hatters have developed a reputation for creating whimsical, stylish hats, always fun and always fashionable. The ‘wears’ have been presented at trunks shows in prestigious venues such as the private club “Doubles” in New York and trendy retail stores – ‘Tanglewool’ in Lenox, Ma, ‘Punch’, Millbrook NY and ‘Folly’ in Aiken, SC. The Madder Hatters are also popular exhibitors at grand scale sporting events such as the Far Hills Steeplechase (NJ), Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials and Mashomack Polo (NY).
The Madder Hatters also have a wide range of private clients for whom they create special hats for special occasions… weddings (royal and otherwise), thoroughbred racing (Ascot, the Kentucky Derby and The Belmont Stakes), and The Central Park Conservancy “FLO” luncheon. A visit to the Madder Hatters studio in New York is the best way to start the creative process, although browsing our brand new web site is good for inspiration too.
The majority of the hats are made to a 22 ½ inch head size - considered medium/average. However, all the collections have several designs that are specifically intended for a smaller head size and another few for larger heads. Note that any hat from the highlights section can be ordered and remade in the size that you require.
Their hat collaboration was unofficially launched when Diana turned to Belle to help ‘animate’ a dismal line of show at home clothes with some much needed accessorizing. Diana thought hats might do the trick and Belle jumped in to bring them to life in her tiny studio workroom. The resulting hats were a hit – the clothes were not; The Madder Hatters became a bright new endeavor for the two friends.
This was six years ago. Since then, The Madder Hatters have developed a reputation for creating whimsical, stylish hats, always fun and always fashionable. The ‘wears’ have been presented at trunks shows in prestigious venues such as the private club “Doubles” in New York and trendy retail stores – ‘Tanglewool’ in Lenox, Ma, ‘Punch’, Millbrook NY and ‘Folly’ in Aiken, SC. The Madder Hatters are also popular exhibitors at grand scale sporting events such as the Far Hills Steeplechase (NJ), Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials and Mashomack Polo (NY).
The Madder Hatters also have a wide range of private clients for whom they create special hats for special occasions… weddings (royal and otherwise), thoroughbred racing (Ascot, the Kentucky Derby and The Belmont Stakes), and The Central Park Conservancy “FLO” luncheon. A visit to the Madder Hatters studio in New York is the best way to start the creative process, although browsing our brand new web site is good for inspiration too.
The majority of the hats are made to a 22 ½ inch head size - considered medium/average. However, all the collections have several designs that are specifically intended for a smaller head size and another few for larger heads. Note that any hat from the highlights section can be ordered and remade in the size that you require.