Whether it's a turban, tiara, derby or boater, Kit Fellows has worn or made it.
As the owner of Kit's Millinery Salon and Supplies in Pikesville, she creates hats that have wit, style and serve a purpose.
In addition to working with fashion-forward clients, she also makes head wear for women and children undergoing chemotherapy -- charging only for materials needed to make their hats. On Nov. 13 at 2:30 p.m., she'll present her designs at a fund-raising tea for the Dorothy Friedman Caplan Guild Cancer Foundation at the Harbor Court Hotel.
"There's a tremendous need here," says Ms. Fellows, 41, a mother of two who lives in Ellicott City. "I'm trying to wake up the millinery business to that."
How did you get interested in hats?
It was kind of a fluke. I ran off to the courthouse in South Carolina 20 years ago and married a man whose family was in the millinery business. We moved to Baltimore and I got involved.
Have you always been a hat person yourself?
I've always liked to wear costumes. From the time I was a kid, I wanted to be different from everybody else. I was always into wild accessories. I have some shoes in my closet that would shock you, including a pair of shiny black clogs that look like they belonged to Minnie Mouse.
Overall, how would you describe your style?
I have a big sense of humor. My philosophy is, "If you're not having any fun, what are you having?" I like to make people stop and think. I love for people to look at me and smile or laugh. A hat is always a wonderful conversation piece. The hats I've created for myself reflect that. I have one -- a boater style -- that looks like a red and white checked tablecloth with black ants on it.
Can you name one of your favorite costumes?
Basically my clothes are simple; accessories set the mood. One of my favorites is a navy silk Mondi pantsuit that I wear with a number of different hats: a crocheted Annie Hall sort of thing, a very sophisticated straw derby or a felt cloche.
What do you wear when you're in a funk?
Something loud and crazy. I have one wonderful red dress. I wear it with red suede boots and a drop-dead gorgeous red hat.
The chief complaint women most often have about hats is dealing with hat hair. How do you cope?
If a hat fits you properly, you should haven't hat hair. But it depends on how you wear your hair. If you have that fluffy look and you put something on top of it, it will mush. But women should remember they are not required to remove their hats.
Is there anything in your closet you wouldn't dare wear again?
No. I have pieces from 1968 -- a leather halter top and love beads -- that I still wear. Kids look at me and say, "Wow, she's an old hippie."
What about your style on the weekends?
It's the same. Even if I'm wearing jeans and T-shirts, I'll have on a funky vest or a pair of water buffalo moccasins that have big copper buttons.
Do you ever feel silly or embarrassed?
If somebody looks at me and breaks out laughing, I enjoy that. I feel like I woke something up in that person.
What's been your most embarrassing clothing moment?
I've never been embarrassed, but others have. I showed up at a wedding of a relative wearing a long white gown with a dragon painted on the front. I had talked to the bride and groom, and they'd said, "Go for it." But the other relatives were completely embarrassed and accused me of trying to give them heart attacks. I said, "I'm sorry you took it so personally. I was just having fun."
Do you know some dressers? Let us know. Write to Mary Corey, The Baltimore Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278.