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Local hat-maker Crystal Birch, releases new collection and opens Joburg store

Internationally celebrated hat-maker Crystal Birch opens her first standalone store at Johannesburg’s 44 Stanley. This new store allows new and existing Joburg fans to shop the highly-anticipated new CB24 collection, titled A:Head. Crystal Birch is the eponymous label from the Cape Town based milliner who creates and crafts beautiful hats that range from classic styles to fashion-forward head wear that perfectly frame the face, complete any outfit, and provide stylish sun protection. Over the years Crystal has collaborated with leading local and international designers, including award-winning Thebe Magugu, MaXhosa Africa and Studio Viviers, and her work has featured on the cover of numerous issues of Vogue, and is favoured by celebrities and change-makers throughout the world, including Trevor Stuurman and Bonang.

Image Supplied: Photographer Luke Houba/Crystal Birch Hats

Now, Joburg is fortunate to have easy access to the milliner’s newest collection. Crafted from exquisite materials such as 100% wool felt, Meluzine hare felts, and wheat straw, each hat in the A:Head Collection is a masterpiece of artisanship and sustainability.

Image Supplied: Photographer Luke Houba/Crystal Birch Hats

These premium materials are carefully selected and transformed by a skilled team at The Hat Factory, in Cape Town, who uphold the time-honoured tradition of hat making in South Africa. Inspired by the rugged landscapes and free-spirited essence of the Wild West, each hat in the A:Head Collection exudes a unique personality and style. From the adventurous “Hunter”; to the elegant and timeless “Willow”; the bold and vibrant “Ziggy” to the playful and spirited “Rodeo”; each hat tells a story of empowerment, individuality, and self-expression. “This collection is a love letter to all the incredible women in our lives,” says Crystal. “Our mothers, sisters, friends - it’s about recognising their bravery, confidence and talent, and adorning them with the necessary armour to continue shaping our creative landscape.” Some of these women are featured in the campaign for the collection. A bevy of ‘Bounty Babes’ are showcased: women who are breaking barriers and leading the frontier in their fields. These include: Rushda Mojee , Kat van Duinen , Jenna McArthur , Kitso Kgori , and Whitney Rhodes . Each hat in the collection is a symbol of empowerment and individuality, designed to inspire and uplift those who wear them.

The Crystal Birch store opened at 44 Stanley on April 6th, 2024.

For more information : https://therealcrystalbirch.com/

Image Supplied: Photographer Luke Houba/Crystal Birch Hats

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