I was born and raised in Washington State and lived in many areas and am now a resident of the Olympic Peninsula (Port Angeles and Sequim).

My Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt and now I have been milliners. I have been taught by the BEST.

When i first got interested in making hats I was 14 years old and made an Easter hat to go with a new dress. That experience started it all.

My husband was in the military and we were sent to Japan. I met a Japanese milliner and she taught me how to make a beautiful Japanese wedding hat.

In 1991 I opened my first shop doing embroidery and incorporated hats (Vintage Style) also made hats for our local Mad Hatters Tea held annually.

Places I have entered my hats:

• Boutiques
  
• Trunk Shows
  
• Red Hat Conventions
  
• Vintage Shows
  
• Donated my hats to several festivals and conventions
  

From the success of those events I have developed my own line of hats and now expanding my horizons to the web. Over the years I have worked on perfecting my style and became to love creating the Victorian hats and clothing from that era.

-- Darlene Startup