GWENDOLYNE HATS FOR LIFE

Very Colour Fall

2011-10-17T17:15:00.004-04:00

Autumn has arrived and the harvest is sweet. Come try on our stylish new treats.

They're ripe for the picking.

We create beautiful designer hats and scarves for all the right reasons. Our cozy Boutique

in the heart of Toronto is a bounty of warmth and colour to brighten your day.

This year Gwendolyne Hats turns Twenty! Shop with us before October 31st, 2011

and wish us "Happy Anniversary" to get 20% off our beautiful Boucle Knit Scarves.

Gwendolyne Hats make cool winter hats,womens hats, mens hats, ski hats, fashion hats, custom hats, handmade hats and we have the perfect fit in colours that compliment you. Come try one on you'll love it.

It's Another Crowning Achievement!

2011-09-20T19:12:00.004-04:00

Gwendolyne Hats Tops Up Twenty Years with a Contest

You could be a WINNER!

Enter on Facebook or twitter as many times as you want to Win in our Random Draw.

See instructions and prizes below.

Facebook instructions:

Post a photo of "you in your favourite hat" on our Facebook fan page, with a short comment that includes the words "amazing Gwendolyne Hats".

Click here to enter: https://www.facebook.com/GwendolyneHats

First "Like" us on Facebook. Then upload a picture of yourself in your hat on our Facebook page wall (no limit to entries). Make sure your comment includes the words "amazing Gwendolyne Hats".

twitter instructions:

Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/gwendolynehats
Then tweet as often as you can with our #20yearsofGwendolyneHats hashtag.

The more you tweet the greater your chances are to win in our draw.

1st prize ~ A beautiful hand-made Gwendolyne Hats hat valued up to $250 in your fit.

One 1st prize winner. On Dec 12th final winner is drawn for 1st prize

Winner has one year to claim their hat prize.

2nd prize ~ A hand-made Gwendolyne Hats Christmas stocking valued at $185,
with a ticket to the One of a Kind Show.

One 2nd prize winner. Draw happens on day 7 at the OOAK - Nov 30th

Winner must come down to pick up their prize at the show and get their photo taken.

3rd prize ~ tickets for One of a Kind show Nov 24-Dec 4th

Winners pick up their ticket at our shop and get a photo taken with it to share on our social platforms

using the hashtag for twitter or uploading on Facebook.

Thank You and Good Luck to everyone!

Summer Gifts

2011-07-15T19:37:00.000-04:00

Ah Summer days . . . Blue skies, bright light and bold colours create brilliant memories.

Oh Summer fun . . . Garden flowers, fresh fruit, butterflies. Plus Panty Purses for all your friends.

Summer beauty . . . Gwendolyne's cool cotton reversible hair bands will brighten your smile.

Summer delight . . . You'll find special treats for you & all your friends at Gwendolyne Hats.

Summer magic . . . Gwendolyne's downtown Boutique is topped up with sunny inspiration.

Summer dreams . . . can come true. Be sure to visit Gwendolyne Hats in Toronto.

Earthly Delights

2011-05-23T19:12:00.005-04:00

The bewitching beauty of Gwendolyne's whimsy Fascinators continues to captivate at Gwendolyne Hats in Toronto. In fact they are so popular we've created a fresh new collection. These bonny bouquets full of sunshine are in our downtown Boutique right now.

A little bit of Whimsy goes a long way...

Your hats love dress up too! Whether you're off to the beach, a special Summer event, or a Wedding. Gwendolyne Hats & Fascinators will take you there in style.

The warm weather has arrived and Gwendolyne's Garden of Earthly Delights is in full bloom. With antique buttons, silk flowers, feathers & fine fabrics. We create artistic originals in unique colour palettes that celebrate you.

Thousands of people come each year to visit the award-winning Roof Garden here at 401 Richmond St. West. As luck would have it this beautiful garden is just outside our windows & inspires us everyday. These pictures reflect the joy that it brings to our creations.

If you're looking for a touch of magic this Summer I highly recommend you drop by and see what we have to offer. After all Gwendolyne's Boutique is more than hats. It's a colourful shop for Summer.

One of the exciting new additions to our Boutique this year comes all the way from Australia. Maya Neumann's Squash Hats made from woven water Hyacinth are world renowned. They come in many colours & look great with Gwendolyne's new Fascinators

Whimsy Fascinators!

2011-04-26T15:49:00.001-04:00

Hold on to your hats!

Gwendolyne has a fabulous new line of whimsy Fascinators. These Earthly Delights are in our Boutique right now. Wonders from our sunny Atelier never cease to amaze. And they're all made right here in Canada.

Spring Buds!

2011-04-11T21:14:00.003-04:00

Happy Spring from Gwendolyne Hats. Come on up and share the enthusiasm. We celebrate your spirit with magical things you love and enjoy everyday. Great friends inspire us and make our world go round. Thank you for bringing our art to life.

In Toronto Spring is budding at Gwendolyne Hats Boutique. Our designs are fresh and the colours sing. We're right on Top of the award winning Creative arts building at 401 Richmond St. West. If you love Art, Music, Dance & Design ... This is where it's Hat!

Here our best buds dance the latest sensation; the Spring Tease. "Red light, green light, stop and go. First comes spring and then there's snow." Soon this courtyard and the amazing Roof Garden will burst with Green. All this and more happens everyday, in and around our Atelier.

This Topper transports you with great style and grace. Here in the creative center of our city we frequently receive guests from around the globe. Now this hat full of positive energy is going to Japan. May it help bring renewal to that great nation.

Hold on to your Hats

Gwendolyne has a fabulous new line of whimsy Fascinators. These Earthly Delights are in our Boutique right now for the celebrations ahead. Wonders from our sunny Atelier never cease to amaze. And they're all made right here in Canada.

A Winter Wave.

2011-02-08T18:30:00.002-05:00

Our radiant Boutique in Toronto is filled with warmth and colour. It may be cold and snowy outside but we have the perfect antidote. Don't let those gloomy gray days of Winter get you down. Come to our Happy Valentines Day Sale and lift your spirits with a little magic. After all it is the year of the Rabbit!

Our creative life is moving forward in leaps and bounds. To top it all off, Gwendolyne's working on a limited edition of our famous Tibetan design to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Here Gwendolyne is modeling an icy blue version of her latest Winter Wave. It's matched with one of our a hand-fringed boucle knit scarves.

This little "Snow bird" didn't make it south for the winter. But toss in one of our hand-fringed boucle knit scarves and you've got a cozy carpet ride all season long. Did you know you can follow Gwendolyne Hats on Twitter? We love taking pictures and sharing positive energy with the world. See our latest Twitpics on the left of this blog.

Last year one of our special clients requested a Russian Ushanka hat. That promise was finally delivered to Ken this January and he was very pleased. Now named the Winter Wave this design is made from a double layer wool weave, Italian Lamb shearling and lined with cotton flannel. It’s luxurious feel is equally matched with great warmth for the coldest winter months.

Here we pause for Tea and tarts as Gwendolyne unwraps her new scarf design. It's made from a rare double-knit Italian wool and has a unique tape measure art applique accent.

We're thinking ahead to a New Year of style and great taste.
Come to our Shop to look your best.
Happy Valentines Day!

Cozy Up!

2010-11-07T14:52:00.042-05:00

LOVE. It's the theme at this year's One of a Kind show. At Gwendolyne Hats it's an essential part of everything we do. Gwendolyne made these beautiful heart pins to celebrate that positive energy. We love investing our artistry with spirit and bringing lasting beauty to life.

The Harvest Moon
Do you believe in magic? Gwendolyne does and she's certainly outdone herself with this marvelous new edition of hand-embroidered hats. Each one is a walking work of fiber Art. Match it with one of our hand fringed boucle knit scarves and wow! You're an original.

Handwork
Beautiful materials inspire great things and artistic details add character. It sure was a delight to watch this design in progress. Sourcing from her prized vintage button collection Gwendolyne accented each hat with a statement button. This signature edition will definitely bring some new life to Toronto streets this year.

The Amelia
Sporty and spirited. The beauty of this simple sophisticated cut is found in it's clean tailored lines. It's practical earflaps let you soar through the season while the cashmere blend wool insures a warm smile.

The Cordy
Our peaks are so popular that men are embracing our sense of style too. This design is created from a rich textured Dutch cotton corduroy. Soft, warm and breathable, cotton offers an excellent natural alternative to those with wool sensitivities.

The Abbey Road
Many people say to us that Gwendolyne Hats stand out on the street. I would like to add that our clients are the nicest people. One can always tell by the smiles on their faces.

Gwendolyne Hats is very excited to be part of...
The Christmas One of a Kind Show in Toronto.
Be sure to visit us in Booth G 33

Our Boutique closes for the show on Saturday November 13th.
Re-opening Thursday December the 9th

Gwendolyne's Boutique is open for business until Friday December 24th.

Good Vibrations!

2010-07-09T23:34:00.014-04:00

It's Summer in the city and we are HOT. Our stylish Atelier is right in the heart of the Fashion District. Gwendolyne designs are hand cut and individually made in downtown Toronto. This local landmark marks the spot. The greenery of our building; 401 Richmond St. West, is above the red streetcar in the photo to the right.

Gwendolyne's Boutique is more than beautiful Hats. It's a colourful shop for Summer. We design, create and sell magical things. Come see for yourself, you'll love it. Our unique accessories for the body and your home radiate with spirit.

Today Suzen Sam is celebrating her brand new Abbey Road. Suzen is the Girl on the go for Google Adwords. She's a buzz of positive energy and loves bees. Gwendolyne sewed a bee on her bonnet and off she went to conquer the world.

Wow! Have a look! This month we've got a full page in Toronto's number one Japanese magazine. I just love the Japanese characters in the copy. The shoot was fun, it taught me a few things about product photography. A special thank you goes out to everyone at bits magazine.

Men love Gwendolyne Hats too! In a world of sameness, men are joining the hunt for personal marks of distinction. Jeff wanted his custom-made hat to feature a maple leaf button cut from the original copper roof that covered our Parliament Buildings. Thoughts like that can shape our destiny. Cast your vote everyday for a better world.

We create beautiful things of value that reflect personality and enhance people's lives. We're proud of what we do and that feels good. What more could you ask for!

Fresh is in!

2010-05-17T10:58:00.009-04:00

We're back in the Shop after a wonderful One of a Kind Spring show in T.O. We had a fabulous time. Here's a slideshow with some our favorite moments along the way.

The show was so invigorating it inspired us to do a Spring clean. With a fresh coat of paint and some redecorating we gave our boutique a refreshing new look for the season ahead.

We were pleased and you will be too. Our designer hats and accessories come in all the colours of the rainbow. This season liven up your wardrobe and lift your spirits with some magic.

Gwendolyne Hats boutique sits on top of a artistic hub in the heart of Toronto. Our Atelier looks out on an award winning roof garden that's bursting with life. Yes our work is beautiful; the landscape we create in makes it even better.

We invite you to visit our building and us during this exciting citywide event.

Doors Open Toronto ~ May 29-30.

401 Richmond St, West. Studio 433 ~ just east of Spadina

If you love Design, Culture and the Arts this is where it's at!

Spring Sensations

2010-03-14T18:22:00.042-04:00

This year we decided to do something different. We signed up for The Spring One of a Kind Show in Toronto. What a great idea! Now we have a marvelous new collection to share with you. The show opens Wed Mar 31st. I highly recommend you visit us in Booth K-47. Here's a look and a big smile ahead for our latest Spring Sensations!

As you can imagine our downtown Atelier has been a Hotbed of activity. As creative entrepreneurs we thrive on these opportunities. That's when we use all our knowledge and artistic abilities to inspire the world. It's hard work but there are great rewards. We thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and I believe it shows.

Gwendolyne has been dreaming of a Tea Cozy design for many years. In January she brought that dream to life in a limited edition of 12. This beautiful Cozy above is entered in the One of a Kind Green competition sponsored by Lipton Tea. By recycling fine tapestry swatches from Toronto's Designer's Walk, Gwendolyne's brought fiber art to the kitchen table. Place your vote in the Peoples Choice award.

People enter our lives for a reason. Some leave with our beautiful creations, others bring us inspiration. This year Victor; above, brought the opportunity for Gwendolyne to create with the finest cotton fabrics from the Netherlands. Thick rich Corduroy, luxurious full velvets in a palette of colour fit for your Spring.

Sometimes simple designs can be the most challenging. Combining silk and velvet is like mixing oil with water. But together they look and feel so good. Gwendolyne knew this and it was the driving force behind her luxurious Velvet Delight wrap. In the end the many naps and fabric tensions became one. Definitely worth trying on.

When the Summer heat arrives the bamboo linen in this year's Carnaby will be a great insulator. This full shaped cap is accented with Antique hand turned vegetable ivory buttons from Gwendolyne's prized collection. She has constructed every peak with a tenacious drive for perfection in a full palette of rich colour.

We're taking more photos these days of people who show us how great they look in our designs. Here are some recent favorites. These pictures celebrate people who share our philosophy of life in the world. What we wear can say a lot about what we believe in. Cheers to all those who feel the same way!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-10T10:00:00.007-05:00

It's a brand New Year at Gwendolyne Hats and life is good. After all the fun, festivities and family gatherings we got some rest. Now completely renewed, we're beginning our year with great creativity and invention. We're thankful for the day and excited by what the future has to offer.

People loved our new Winter Collection at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto. Our booth was the best ever. We had fun and a wonderful time was had by all. This year the annual competition had a teapot theme. Gwendolyne was thrilled making her beautiful pincushion teapot & Wow! She won 3rd prize. It was such an honour to receive recognition amongst so many fabulous creations by other artists. Our cup runneth over!

You too could have fun creating your own pincushion curio. Sign up for a Spring course at Atelier Gwendolyne. It's a great idea for a gift or a special treat for yourself. Please contact us to enroll.

This charming & informative interview was shot in our booth during the show. Gwendolyne speaks very eloquently about her work & what she believes in. Have a look. It's good to the last shot.

What the world needs now is love sweet love...

That's the only thing that there's just to little of... So this New Year's Eve under the light of the blue moon, that's exactly what we wished for everyone. Love is the great connector that brings meaning to our lives. The more you give the more you get. The more you get the better you feel.

When you love life it loves you back.

Turn up the Heat

2009-10-27T20:31:00.004-04:00

Our radiant Shop awaits... It's brimming with beautiful things. We bring artistry, fresh design and fine materials to practical accessories. So you can look your best and feel it too. Once you've experienced a Gwendolyne design you understand. Our kind of quality creates a lasting impression.

We'd love to show you our latest. There's something for everyone at Gwendolyne Hats. We've introduced exciting new designs & a range of affordable prices to please. Make it an outing, bring friends and enjoy.

Gwendolyne makes magic in the heart of her Atelier.
Sometimes her surroundings are as exciting as the finished piece.
Beautiful materials inspire great things, details create character.

We create modern classics you enjoy everyday.
All the world's a stage. You can play the Romantic in our new Corona.

Cordy cap & Boucle scarf with an autumn fringe.
Never underestimate the benefits of a great hat and scarf. A warm smile & cozy disposition can change your day. We took this picture out on the street. I wanted to capture Toronto's vibrant urban culture.

Many coloured scarves & a Mikado shoulder bag in blue.

The cavalcade of colour outside our windows has been absolutely stunning. It's just so beautiful I had to get some pictures. To see my slideshow click here.You'll get the first peak at our new Amelia design, as in Earhart the aviator. Yes a new Gwendolyne hat with earflaps has arrived.

Avoid the crowds. Shop with us before we go to the One of a Kind Show.
Our cozy Shop is where you'll get the most selection & personal service.

We look forward to your arrival!
Our last shopping day before the show is Friday November the 20th.

Harvest Moon

2009-10-05T21:40:00.002-04:00

Abbey Road & Boucle scarf with wool fringe
The midnight oil has been burning bright in our beautiful downtown Atelier.
Life is rich and full as we prepare for the season ahead. This year's harvest
is sweet and our tasty new treats are ripe for the picking. Here's some
imagery to celebrate the colours of Autumn.

The Abbey Road our classic peaked cap.
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon...together we created this still life with some of the tools of our trade. We wanted to illustrate how our work brings old world craft to life with a modern sensibility and style.

The Bean our funky wool toque.
People inspire our designs. This year three talented women brought our artistry
to life on camera. We got some great pictures and had a lot of fun!
Click here to see more of our photo shoot with Dana in Toronto's Kensington Market.

If you love Gwendolyne Hats . . .
Watch for frequent updates to our blog. We have so many exciting things to show you. You can subscribe to our posts below. Feedback is appreciated, inspire us with a comment.

Visit our downtown Atelier where culture art and fashion meet.
Discover a magical Shop that welcomes the creative spirit and celebrates individuality.

Spread the word!

Our Garden of Earthly Delights

2009-07-25T21:38:00.082-04:00

It’s been a different kind of summer this year in Toronto, elusive and uncertain. A little bit like our world today. One minute its looking good and the next minute it’s not. The plants have certainly flourished. Perhaps it’s because they follow a natural order. They just keep the faith, move forward with confidence and grow with the flow. I guess the lesson here is to trust your instincts and make the best of what you've got. In short live for the day and advance with optimism.

I read a wonderful quote that sums this thought up nicely:

“Success is a journey not a destination and half the fun is getting there.”
- Gita Bellin

Here are some sunny Summer moments from the award winning Rooftop Garden outside our window. The first is a picture of Gwendolyne, the beautiful spirit who continues to inspire my life. And if you're familiar with Gwendolyne Hats, chances are she’s inspired you too. Many smiling faces have passed through our doors and left with joy in their hearts. Love is the thread that connects our work together. Love is full of meaning. Everything in our Atelier is infused with a little bit of that magic.

"The mind determines what is possible. The heart surpasses it.''
- Pilar Colinta

These days we've been starting work with a refreshing tête-à-tête on the Roof Garden. This peaceful oasis gets our creative juices flowing while nature's power helps to ground us. Our studio is right in the heart of the city. As we contemplate our day ahead we can feel the energy of the urban landscape around us. It's a wonderful balance. While the city feeds our mind and belly, the garden feeds our soul. I dream of a day when the roof tops of the world are green and we all live in greater harmony with nature.

Our work is a magnet for happy people. During the Summer months many travel to our city. They are always thrilled to discover this marvelous building our business calls home. Here is Lily an artist and hat lover from Vancouver who found us on her holiday. One of our greatest pleasures is meeting kindred spirits who like ourselves share their joy and spread happiness wherever they go.

As luck would have it last week we got away for a holiday up north at a cottage on Horseshoe Lake. It was so refreshing to dive into the water and wash our cares away.

It was a well deserved rest. We've been very busy working on some exciting new surprises for the cool seasons ahead. Vacations are relaxing but they're also a great opportunity to see life from a clear perspective. In our case it has re-confirmed our direction. Art is our calling and creativity the driving force behind our life. True to our hearts we have always made choices to follow that path. Nobody said it was going to be easy, but that's just who we are. We create the beautiful things that we think the world should see and we're proud of it. Our bottom line is quality and true value with meaning. This year you can expect our collection to be the best ever. Seize the day and get them while you can. After all where would the world be without flowers.

Smile!

2009-05-27T14:58:00.051-04:00

Spring in ancient times was celebrated by the gods of fertility who rose up from the under world with the keys to life.

Living here in Toronto just north of the 49th parallel, our eagerness for the warm weather is heightened by a longer wait. It’s always such a magical time of year. Nature’s a powerful force that never ceases to amaze. I often remind people that our Canadian Maple Syrup is the result of our unique temperatures. That's why it tastes so sweet.

Spring is the eternal optimist. She can lift your spirits; bring a skip to your step and a flutter to your heart. The desire to open ourselves to the new life ahead is everywhere we go.

Here in our Atelier Gwendolyne has been busy birthing many new designs for the shop. With a fresh palette of colors, her reversible Hairbands will be delighting many faces this summer. Made in all sizes, from cotton prints, these colorful bands will brighten and cool any hot summer day.

This year we’ve added to our scarf collection. Loving silks and color, Gwendolyne has collaborated on this limited edition of exquisite shawls with an artist in Australia. Hand dyed with the themes of water, earth and fire the touch and finished edges of the silks are divine. They are perfect for the many outdoor celebrations planned in the months ahead.

Gwendolyne's button collection has inspired a new line of chokers. Made from Japanese ribbons and braids the adjustable sizing allows great comfort. Here is one decorated with antique vegetable ivory turned buttons. The subtle details of these buttons are set off brilliantly from the background. New to the shop they are selling fast. You can ask about one to be made for you as Gwendolyne is also taking custom orders.

Recently a customer dropped by and shared her daughters’ love for buttons. I think many of us have this fascination. Especially if your grandmother had jars full of them. Today there are few button producers in the world that create the beautiful styles that were made in the past. The Czech Republic still produces molded glass buttons. It’s nice to see this art and craft tradition continue. It is important to celebrate the good things in our world. After all you reap what you sow. Money is a vehicle that defines our worth and values. How we circulate it is the determining factor of what we want our world to be. More then ever before we must understand what we are buying and look closely at the energy invested in it. We decide what will be created today and cherished in the future.

In Gwendolyne's latest line of Button Love bracelets she has brought her cherished glass buttons from the 20's to 50's era to life on the wrist. The colors are vibrant and the base beads simple to set off the detail and color of each button. Many people love the magnetic clasp as it allows for easy closure when putting them on. We have sizes for everyone, come see them soon. I know you'll love them.

Last year many new bag designs were created and produced in our studio. Gwendolyne is always determined to bring function and beauty together. She is truly enjoying bag design, as it is both technically challenging and a perfect canvas to display her love of detail and artistry.

This year she has continued her search for the perfect carry all. The Raven wristlet is designed to carry the essentials. It can be worn on the wrist or on the shoulder. I think it's all the rage these days as it allows women to carry their core goodies. Some tell me they carry it in their bigger bags during the day and later when they go out at night all they carry is their wristlet. It would certainly make it very easy to dance the night away.

As always we have many beautiful hat designs for the season ahead. Come down to our shop and try one on or watch for the next blog.

Several weeks ago we both had a wonderful bike ride down by the lake to Humber Bay Park. With the wind at our back the going was easy. On this bright Spring day many people were out walking, riding, and roller blading. Everywhere we went the birds were also enjoying the weather. The freshness in the air and the excitement that winter was over was all around us. We saw a lot of mating rituals that day. In fact these two majestic swans did their dance right before our eyes. Afterwards they leaned in for a kiss and their graceful necks formed the shape of a heart. It was a beautiful moment and a reminder that Spring is a time for new beginnings and a lot of love.

Snow Angel

2009-01-31T20:40:00.003-05:00

Happy year of the Ox!
May the soil you till be rich and fertile.

Right off the top we would like to thank everyone for making the start of our winter season such a success. Your enthusiasm was heart warming. With your valued patronage we will continue to make magic.

Wow! What a fresh start for the New Year. It’s frosty white here in Toronto. Of course if you’re the proud owner of a Gwendolyne Hat it's perfect. Say hello winter baby and enjoy it every day.

With the weather we’ve had lots of sightings and positive feedback. Apparently Art Eggleton was seen wearing one of our Tibetans. Is it true? I don’t know. Keep your eyes peeled; if you see others please let us know.

A lot has happened since we last spoke. The end of the year is always such a busy time. Our focus going into the 2008 One of a Kind Show was tremendous. All year long we had pursued a path of growth and re-invention in a landscape of economic uncertainty. Think Positive was our daily mantra. Whatever the outcome, we were going to roll up our talents and have fun. The marketplace would decide.

When the doors to the show opened something remarkable happened. People were excited to see us and they wanted what we had to offer. Our beautiful hats, bags, scarves, talismans and zipper fobs were all the rage. We felt blessed. Our determination to inspire both the world and ourselves had carried the day.

With a new look and an upbeat attitude our booth was a magnet for happy people and smiling faces. Gwendolyne even managed to get on TV twice. First CTV Weather live with Tom Brown at the show. Then CBC Newsworld with Colleen Jones, which broadcast right across the country. After that we had a buzz in our booth and it followed us home.

It's great to be back in the studio. Time to send all that positive energy forward and catch up with the demand. Gwendolyne's just finished a beautiful new edition of her ever-popular Abbey Road cap. You can see a couple of juicy brights from this batch above. Who knew winter could be so fun and colourful. These beauties are definitely a cure for the winter blahs.

This month our cozy Atelier was filled with laughter and delight. Gwendolynes' Sunday Salons have become such a wonderful addition to our creative life. They're popular too, so we've added a Monday night. We love our studio and it feels good to share it. All you need to join us is the desire to create beautiful things with your own hands.

As an artist Gwendolyne has had a creative connection with the needle and thread for the better part of her life. Her textile art courses are a lot of fun and encourage a community of spirit. They are a wonderful opportunity to open your mind, explore your creativity and bring more art to your life.

I encourage you to read further by visiting her new BLOG Atelier Gwendolyne. If you're interested in joining please click here.

Here's a New Years greeting!

Thanksgiving!

2008-10-07T23:00:00.017-04:00

by William
It's a chilly day outside and our cozy Atelier is bustling with activity. Autumn is here and winter is just around the corner. It's time to prepare for the cool weather ahead.
At Gwendolyne Hats you'll find a bounty of warmth and colour to brighten your day.

As we stop to admire all the beauty in our shop Gwendolyne and I are giddy with excitement and pride. Our repertoire has grown this year and we’re delighted with the results. Evolution is invigorating. It’s brought a fresh perspective to our worktable. This Fall harvest is sweet and our amazing new creations are ripe for the picking.

We've seen success in our new products and good things are on the way. Our antique Button Love bracelets are a big hit. Men and women love our latest Abbey Road peaked caps. And this season we even have some wonderful merino wool fingerless gloves in the store.

But the best news of all? Our little Zoë bag created in the Spring has given birth to a whole new line of Gwendolyne Bags! Congratulations are definitely in order.

There's a fabulous selection of these items and more in our shop right now. Remember, it's the accessories that make your outfit. Our work has lasting beauty. It looks great together too!

Our new bags are absolutely gorgeous. It's been an amazing journey and we're thrilled with the results. There are four different designs and each individual bag has a character that's all it's own. Gwendolyne has really outdone herself. They're just so desirable.

The new designs are created in limited editions and each bag is unique. You could be the only one in the world. Everybody we've shown is talking about them. Here are a few of my favourites.

Our fiber art is expertly handcrafted from the finest natural materials. Like paintings each one is a distinct composition of texture, pattern, colour and detailing.

We want people to have value in their life. That’s why we design and create tangible things you can appreciate everyday. We invest our work with meaning and a spirit that speaks. It's special because we take the time to make it that way. It takes over 200 steps to make one of Gwendolynes' bags. Here are some photos to illustrate her journey click here.

Our Talisman started as a romantic flourish for the bags. A final signature detail to celebrate it's beauty or an opportunity to personalize your own. After making one Gwendolyne realized it's true power. Sometimes your work just tells you what it wants to be. Now we see the Talisman as a little bit of magic like a rabbits foot or lucky charm. They come in many sizes and can be hooked onto anything; zippers, key chains, knapsacks, bags, anything that's waiting to be embellished. They make great gifts for friends and family. For a closer look double click on the photo below.

Last weekend we were privileged to be part of Toronto’s Nuit Blanche Festival at our building 401 Richmond. The city was alive with enthusiastic seekers of Art and Culture. Our Atelier was open all night long and we had lots of fun. The excitement and support of our visitors was invigorating. It was wonderful to meet so many smiling faces. Art can feed your soul.

We feel blessed. Thank you.

Fairy Tales

2008-07-31T18:16:00.055-04:00

by William

It’s a lazy Summer day at Gwendolyne Hats and that feels good. We’ve been very industrious lately now it's time to relax. After the Toronto Outdoor Art Show we took a little break to enjoy the creativity of our studio and experience some of the excitement our city has to offer.

Our Shop’s been busy with some delightful visitors from abroad. Summer is a great time for travel and we’ve met new people from Japan, Italy and the States.

Tonight we’re off to the Toronto Music Garden for a wonderful outdoor concert of classical music down by our waterfront. Tucked away at the foot of Spadina, this magnificent garden is a magical setting for many reasons.

Its intimate outdoor concerts are always outstanding and the garden is absolutely gorgeous. The local birds play host to 2 free concerts a week all summer long. If you listen carefully you can hear them singing along with the music for their supper. We always bring a picnic dinner to double the fun. I’m looking forward to Persian Music for a Summer Night Thursday Aug 7th. ~ Maybe we’ll see you there.

If you want to see a slide show of this beautiful garden in full bloom click here.

A special thanks to all the people involved with the Music Garden; especially Tamara Bernstein, for providing us with this enlightening opportunity.

The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition was great fun this year. It’s always such an amazing display of beautiful handmade things from the heart. This year was no exception. Our booth was bustling with fresh and familiar faces. I think people really enjoyed themselves. I know we did.

There are 3 Graces in Greek mythology. Each with the power to grant charm, happiness and beauty. Here is a picture of the modern version; Gwendolyne, Evelyn and Joey. It was sunny and hot, hot, hot, with the occasional breeze. We drank lots of water and entertained many. It was the peak of the season. By the end of the weekend I really appreciated the value of a great hat.

Yes our hats are practical. They also bring a lot of character into the theatre of life. Have a look at Evelyn. She's playing "Juliette" in one of our blue Zinnia hats. “ Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” Wow! She's so beautiful we felt lucky.

And here is our good friend the lovely Rita. She's wearing a vintage Gwendolyne hat called the Garden Shade. How's that for a little glamour! You can see that our work is about self-expression. We create magical things to inspire peoples' individuality, beauty, beliefs and spirit.

What a refreshing relief. Our booth was close to the Peace Garden, a lush oasis in a sea of cement. If you travel with a few trees and bring along some running water you can usually attract a breeze. But lets be sensible. You'll always be cool under the brim of a fabulous Gwendolyne Hats original!

It's Hip to be Happy!

2008-06-15T14:30:00.009-04:00

by William

We had a taste of summer this weekend and it was delicious. The city felt joyful and sprang to life. There was a buzz in the air and people were talking. It was a magical moment the world was smiling. I thought, we need more of a life like this.

That evening the rain came down in all its thunderous glory and brought cool weather. The time had passed so quickly it felt like a dream. It’s going to be a long hot season ahead, so I continued to nurture my thought from the weekend. I imagined what the Summer of Love was like and the positive things that decade had to offer. Peace, love and understanding. Free thinking, self- awareness. We could certainly use more of those ideas today.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a new era of optimism and hope? Now is a good time to start. Inspire the world around you; celebrate life and all it has to offer. Let's put the power back into the flower!

Gwendolyne and I live by these ideas. We invest our work with positive energy and share it with you. Yes we make beautiful things but we're philosophers too! Our designs have purpose, feel good and feed your spirit. This summer step out with confidence and spread that joy forward.

So, if you want to treat yourself to something special that has meaning and lasting value, Gwendolyne Hats shop in Toronto is the place to be!

We love music and it's power to transport us to another time or place. Recently we had the pleasure to enjoy a marvelous concert right on our doorstep. Donald Quan and his new store Musideum were celebrating their grand opening. This amazing new addition to our building sells captivating old, new and exotic instruments. Wow! What wonderful sounds come from incredible instruments.

While working with our hands we love listening to Jazz FM 91.1 Sometimes it's the soundtrack to our life. This was totally confirmed when we heard “It’s Hip to be Happy”. This jazzy tune by Ann Hampton Callaway is an anthem for our times. You must read her lyrics, they’re light hearted, charming and very timely. Busy lives can be distracting. It's always nice to be reminded that a big smile, a positive attitude and...
A Great Hat can change the day!

We invite you to visit us at Our shop Tuesday to Saturday from noon till six.

Or, Come to the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibit in Nathan Phillips Square.
July 11-13, 2008

We will be in Booth 560 in the turquoise section. Just north of the Peace Garden.

Our Fertile Oasis!

2008-05-26T18:52:00.040-04:00

by William

What a magnificent Spring we’ve had this year, so fresh and green. All we need now is the warmth of the sun. Then we can look forward to a big burst of colour to top it all off. It's the perfect opportunity to step out and enjoy life. Our studio has been filled with laughter and enthusiasm this month. Gwendolyne has begun teaching a fiber art workshop on Sundays called
the Four Elements. If you are interested in joining us please click here.

Water is the first element in this series and the weather has been very co-operative, with lots of rain for inspiration.

You may have seen Gwendolyne Hats on CityTV recently, JoJo Chinto stopped by our shop. He was doing a story about the award winning building our business calls home; 401 Richmond St. West. While JoJo tried on some hats, Gwendolyne talked about how this vibrant creative community has helped us and other people grow.

There’s always something exciting happening here at 401 Richmond and Our Atelier is no exception . If you love Culture, Design and the Arts you must drop by for a visit. It will uplift your spirits and enrich your life.

Sometimes you discover a special spot in the world that's so amazing you put down roots and blossom. That's what our atelier means to us. We're on the top floor. Our windows look out over the courtyard and onto the roof garden. It's a lush oasis of climbing vines and new growth out there these days. How inspiring!

It’s a quiet day today as we recover from Doors Open Toronto. We’re a popular destination on this city wide tour and this weekend was a lot of fun. Our Shop was bustling with activity as many new people took advantage of the opportunity to play dress up with our latest designs. As you can see we're more than just a hat shop. It was very rewarding to see the positive response.

There's a guest book in our Shop for comments. But, this weekend Gwendolyne got a big smile when the Lady Julia said,

"I am so happy to find this place. This is what the world needs these days, things made with care, wonderful materials and so much beauty. Your work speaks of individuality, I am so excited.
I want you to be successful as I love what you are making. You are making things that I can relate to, that have spirit and meaning". Then Julia bought something for herself to celebrate that idea!

It's great when people totally understand where you are coming from and cast their vote for the positive things in life. That's certainly what Gwendolyne and I believe in. If we noticed one common thread this weekend... More people are feeling this way too.

Spring it on!

2008-03-20T14:31:00.077-04:00

Written by William

The warm sun has been streaming in the windows of our cozy Toronto Atelier, making us feel like Spring has arrived. These beautiful bright days keep the spirits up and our creative juices flowing. We're very focused, creating new work to change with the weather. While sweet sap flows from the maple trees here in Canada, our urban sugar shack is cooking with gas. With birds singing outside and the orchids blooming, our sunny studio is an inspiration for the season ahead.

Of course we only have to step outdoors to realize it’s still quite chilly. But, it’s the thought that counts.

Spring is a time of growth, renewal and of new life being born. Gwendolyne and I are very excited this year about creating new products that expand our vision. We intend to try our hand at new things. So keep your eyes open and ears to the ground.

Our Abbey Road is a popular hat. I've certainly enjoyed mine. It's charming, stylish and I find the peak very practical. This season we’ve created a fresh look with some wonderful new colours. There is also a lighter weight version for the warmer weather; shown here. Remember, each one of these beauties features a luxurious lamb leather peak with a magical vintage button accent.

Zoë means life
and this limited edition of pocket-sized messenger bags, is definitely full of spirit. A lot of care has gone into making them. They are long lasting as well as beautiful. Each Zoe is one of a kind. I know Gwendolyne is very proud. Miniature masterpieces, they are just big enough to carry the essential things. Perfect for when we take off all those layers and want to travel light.

Good things come in small packages and each one of these beauties comes with a signature, edition number and their very own box. If you need one to match a special outfit there's more choice available in our shop.

Gwendolyne adores antique and vintage buttons. Attracted by their attention to detail and celebration of craft, she is also fascinated with the stories that surround them.

Like Gwendolyne designs, collectable buttons are practical things invested with meaning, that celebrate life. Buttons are a type of jewelry. Which leads me to yet another wonderful new addition to our shop. One that reflects Gwendolyne's passion to create beautiful things that resonate.

Button Love Bracelets sparkle in the light.

In our shop we have a treasure chest of choice and a variety of sizes. Every button a is piece of history and each bracelet has it's own story. Fastened with a sterling silver magnetic clasp, they're easy to get on and off. These buttons are all late 19th century antiques.

Pretty exciting!

A Big Winter!

2008-03-06T12:30:00.065-05:00

It's a blizzard out there.

At this time of year people are eager to see the end of winter. However Mother Nature has a mind of her own. These last snowfalls are essential for the waking of sleepy roots and seeds beneath the ground. In warmer climates this time of year is called the wet season.

Most people in Toronto feel beleaguered by all the snow. Personally, I just love it! I’m always inspired by the power and beauty of nature. Every snowfall is an opportunity for me. Should I play inside and create the perfect winter hat or go outside to experience the invigorating vitality of winter activities.

Born in January, I'm a winter baby and I enjoy every minute of it. To see a slide show celebrating my favourite season click here

William and I were fortunate to get out of the city and enjoy the country these last few weeks. Growing up in Northern Ontario I skied every weekend with my family. Winter was a lot of fun. On the ski slopes one of my big challenges was perfecting my slalom, the other, like all young girls, was getting the attention of older boys.

Gwendolyne Hats goes out on the road at this time of year. Like gypsies we travel to spread our magic. There's always a sense of excitement as we leave the city. Our daily routine has changed and we’re off on an adventure. Into the winter wonderland we go, the sun is bright, the snow white, and everything glistens.

Here we are traveling north to ski country to do a trunk show. This beautiful yellow truck caught our eye on the way. We always drive up ahead of time to enjoy the sights. Mixing a little business with pleasure is essential. It’s great to get out of the studio after making some beautiful new things to inspire people. Creating and selling your own work is like Show and Tell in school. Once your new work is complete, you can't wait to share it with others.

Arriving at our destination we set up our display and go out for a nice dinner. Returning to our B&B we enjoy a relaxing evening of in front of a cozy fire. The next day it’s Showtime! People play dress up while we illustrate the power and lasting beauty of our handmade wares. During the day we meet new friends and say hello to familiar faces. Some discover us for the first time; others are in the know already. Then there are dreamers looking forward to the future. Everyone an individual, all with smiling faces.

Our customers share stories about meeting people who own and wear our designs. It feels good to know we make something that brings such pleasure, comfort and individuality to peoples lives. Many thanks to all those who have supported us in our journey. We look forward to meeting many more of you.

After all, Winter is a season I believe is largely misunderstood, until you own a Gwendolyne Hat.

The Year of the Rat

2008-02-06T09:19:00.002-05:00

It was refreshing start this January. An open heart and positive thinking. We wanted to revitalize our approach in our atelier and we have done so with a full force creating together some new and wonderful accessories below the head.

Back in December a customer of mine made a request. He wanted to surprise his wife with a gift she so desired. Five years earlier I had created a small shoulder purse sample and eventually gave it to a friend. There was still work for me to do on the design, so onto back burner it went.
Sinter Claus (the Dutch equivalent to our Christmas) is a magical time as my design house began 1991 because of it's tradition of the making of a gift for one person. His wife's desire and the timing, pushed me on to complete the purse design and bring it to life. I named the design "The Zoe" which translates from the Greek to "life" in English.

Continuing the topic of life, the Lunar New Year calender begins tomorrow. William and I took advantage of last week's snow abundance that fell onto our city of Toronto and made this Snow Rat to celebrate the "Year of the Rat". Made in less than 2 hours we dressed our icy friend with a Gwendolyne Hat (The Enoch and The Boucle Scarf). Dashing don't you think? We are fortunate to have two new years to celebrate. One to get us on track, and the second to confirm our new direction. I would conclude that yes, we are definitely enjoying the fruits of our labor and thrilled to see our results.

Button Up!

2007-10-22T12:58:00.002-04:00

I love my new Abbey Road design. It has been a wonderful new addition to our collection and we've had a lot of success with it. For years my customers have been asking for a Gwendolyne peaked cap. Well here it is! These beauties take over 150 steps to build and they're worth it. This cut is so charming, people are just loving the luxurious lamb leather peak and the vintage button accent. This edition is limited so I encourage those who are interested to come and visit the shop, there's still great choice in your size.
This has been My Year of the Button!
I love detail and will always embellish my designs with handwork. I've used antique and vintage buttons, but this year I became a serious collector. You'll see evidence of this in my latest designs. I find older buttons extremely beautiful, they have far more character than those produced today. Like my work they are practical things that overflow with spirit.

I've added a bit more punch to our Clarissa cloche this year. The button accent is larger and plays a more dynamic role in its' detailing. The Celluloid buttons I've used, date from the 1890s to the 1930s. I have carefully selected the most beautiful button color and design to accent each hat. This way I can share my button passion with the world and get them back onto the street. It's great to see the big button trend on the new coat styles this year. Think about a hat to match. Oh what fun!

There are 3 stylish beret designs in our collection this year. Remember you don't need to be French to enjoy a beret. These days there are many people who enjoy the romance, comfort and style of this timeless design.

Here is picture of our Celeste on a happy new client. This is a very limited edition and each one is exquisite. There are great styling opportunities with this design because of it's fullness. Its' collage of different woven wools and button detailing has a striking old world sensibility.

As for our other 2 beret designs, the Ashley can be seen on our website and the Wool Beret is in our store. Drop by and you can try on all three.

I'm sad to say that this is the last year for our Tibetan design. This cozy Gwendolyne classic will look different next year. Unfortunately I'm unable to source all my materials.

Change is a constant and with that comes new beginnings. Over the last 10 years there's been a drastic change in global manufacturing. I used to order my custom trims from a 70 year old Canadian company that closed two years ago when it couldn't survive this shift. We will see more dramatic changes like this in the near future as our industries struggle to survive in this new economy.

As you can see the shelf in our shop is still full of this wonderful design. But this is the last batch. So, if you’ve enjoyed your hat and thought of replacing it, or if you’ve always dreamed of owning one... This is the year!

There is still time to visit our shop before we pack our work and go to The One of a Kind Show (at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto). Our shop will be closed from Wednesday Nov 15th until Dec 5th for this exciting shopping event.

If you can't make it to the show or prefer a more leisurely shopping experience be sure to drop by our shop before then. Come experience our fabulous new collection in the beautiful atelier where we design and create it.

Enjoy the pleasure of trying everything on in your own size and colours. Take your time and discover what looks best on you. Let our expertise and well-trained eyes be your guide. We love to give our clients the best in personal service. Perhaps an espresso coffee will be what you need when you drop by. Please ask us if you crave one, we love making them for our customers.

I grew up loving my handmade Christmas stocking. The Christmas morning ritual was to run downstairs with my brothers to see what Santa had put in them. Over years my stocking collected many wonderful memories of growing up. I made these stockings to re-create that same experience for someone else, a little piece of magic that could be passed from generation to generation. These luxurious stockings are made of the finest materials and decorated with appliquéd wool felt, glass beads, and antique buttons. They’re the perfect gift to stuff full of goodies. Give them to someone special...

Time is just flying by as we busily prepare for the One of a Kind Show. Our hectic and full schedule can be a bit daunting at times, but when I sit down and dream of my customers’ enthusiastic response to my beautiful new designs, it's all seems worthwhile.

I ask that you give us a blessing of good luck by rubbing this Buddha’s belly button.
He always brings a smile to my face.