It’s nice when we can revisit subjects.
And it’s even nicer when the revisiting puts the spotlight on a collaboration between two past WAG subjects.
It was back in 2014 when we covered “HATtitude: The Milliner in Culture & Couture,” an exhibition at ArtsWestchester in White Plains.
We not only featured the show but attended a talk by one of the exhibiting milliners, Ellen Christine Colon-Lugo, who’s also a millinery historian.
Then, in November of 2015, we offered a profile of Monticristi, a hat company formed by former Stamford resident Jose Molina and two partners.
And now we’ve learned about Monticristi by Ellen Christine Couture, a collection that brings it all together.
Here’s what we’ve heard from Ellen Christine:
“Collaborating with Monticristi, Ellen Christine Couture takes their artisanal straw bodies and fashions them into classic silhouettes for men and women. Some of these will be limited editions, all are superb examples of a well-bred straw hat.
Monticristi, a company founded to protect the rights and patrimony of straw artisans who live in Montecristi (different spelling) and the surrounding villages in Ecuador, has been certified by the State of Ecuador as authentic producers of these noble straws. While others may use the tag ‘Montecristi,’ there is only one village in the world where these artisans produce their work. Because of the geography, they have access to the unique toquillo palm plants that give us this delicate, pliable straw. Because of generations of weavers, Montecristi is the only place on this planet of ours that can boast such fine technique. Monticristi is the only company working in the interests of these artisans and their gifts. We at Ellen Christine Couture aim to preserve their historical contribution to the world of craftsmanship and endow their work with a couture touch.”
WAG wishes both Monticristi and Ellen Christine Couture the best of luck on the venture.
For more, visit ellenchristinecouture.com/store/monticristi-by-ellen-christine-couture/.
– Mary Shustack
