We are thrilled to announce the winners of the American Hat Makers Scholarship, an award designed to support the ambitions of students with a passion for fashion, marketing, and business. This scholarship is a testament to our commitment to fostering talent and encouraging the pursuit of excellence in these dynamic fields.
For 2023, we created the Design Your Signature Hat Contest. Each winner has displayed exceptional creativity, dedication, and vision, embodying the innovative spirit that American Hat Makers stands for. Join us in celebrating their achievements and learn more about their inspiring journeys.
2023 Scholarship Winners
1st Place: Ellen Tam | University of Alberta
Program of Study: Clothing, textiles and material culture in Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences.
"My best friend, Regulus Amor, is the bravest person I know. He grew up in an abusive household, left home when he was 15 years old and was financially independent at 18. The amazing thing is, he never let that hold him back from pursuing his dream of being an aerospace engineer and is currently building rockets at embry-riddle university. This hat is inspired by his story.
The hat is a classic steampunk design made with periwinkle silk with white stitches meant to represent the Leo constellation (which includes the star, Regulus). The silver clasps represent rocket windows that look into space (galaxy-themed buttons) and when you look over top of the hat, you will see white lines that make it seem as though the rim is expanding, much like our universe."
2nd Place: Makayla Atkins | Clark Atlanta University
Program of Study: Fashion Design / Merchandising
"As a senior studying in Fashion Design and Merchandising, I have always been captivated by the style spectacle of the Kentucky Derby.
This year, I was inspired to design an avant-garde ensemble that reimagines classic Derby flair for the modern runway. My design includes a pearl derby hat. As someone that was born and raised in the South, pearls have been a fashion staple as it represents elegance. The hat is gold satin and covered in pearls with pearls hanging around the hat."
3nd Place: Mia Carini
"This hat is for the thrill-seekers, the theme park goers more specifically. Most roller coasters require riders to take off hats and safely secure phones and wallets, so why not combine those two requirements.
This hat transforms into a fanny pack using strategically placed zippers, giving the bag two pockets. The bag strap itself gives way for multiple styling opportunities, like wrapping it around the top, turning it into a belt, turning it into a bow, etc."
Thank You to All Who Participated This Year!
As we conclude the announcement of our American Hat Makers Design Your Signature Hat Contest winners, we want to extend a massive congratulations to our victors and express our deepest appreciation to ALL participants. Your hard work, dedication, and creativity have truly enriched this competition.
Each submission was a testament to the talent and passion within the fashion and design community. Thank you for making this event a resounding success and for showcasing such inspiring designs.