ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Originally from Kinver, a small village in southern Staffordshire, England, I have been living in Vancouver since early 2007. From a very young age I have had a passion for all things fashion. I would spend many hours delving through my mother's closets trying on all her silk and lace, wrapped in a cloud of Chanel No. 5, willing her stiletto heals to fit and lusting after the big floppy brimmed sun hat on the top shelf. After I had been chased away, I would sit whiling away the hours creating fantastical outfits, always topped of with a Vanity Fair-esque chapeau. Later, inspired by the BBC costume drama 'The House of Elliot', my dream was to open my own fashion house. As I grew up, my passion never waned, but I took a more practical approach to my career, settling on architecture. However, my love of textiles and fashion drew me back in. I finally gave into that passion and began researching the teachings of millinery. Four years later, Hive Mind Millinery was born.

- Dominique Hanke

Hive Mind Millinery is bringing a fresh and modern take on millinery to Vancouver, contrasting the traditional hat-making technique of hand-forming felt and straw over antique wooden moulds with a unique and contemporary finish, creating a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art.