The Browser
A hat for every occasion, style and head
There are hats, and then there are Louisa Voisine’s hats. Hats? They might be better called crowns or headpieces, so detailed and ornate is their styling.
That reflects her philosophy. Voisine believes that a woman doesn’t need to live in Kentucky to look fabulous in a Kentucky Derby hat. That same dare-to-wear perspective goes for sporting one of her Victorian-inspired hats, complete with ostrich feathers and silk flowers, or a velvet, 1940s-themed cocktail hat, for example. “Some (hats) whisper softly ‘adorn me,’ while others boldly state, ‘I want to lead the Easter Parade’ or ‘Get me to the derby on time,’” Voisine says. And really, how great would a bonnet look in your closet propped next to a 51s baseball cap?
Since she moved to Las Vegas 21 years ago, Voisine has designed hats that were sold exclusively at special events, appearances and through her website. This September, Voisine will expand her business when she opens a private design studio in the Longford Plaza in Henderson. That’s after her return from France, where she will study with a designer who has created hats for Queen Elizabeth (not to name-drop or anything).
Whether a client wants a custom design or a hat from her seasonal collection, Voisine says she can create a piece in one day to two weeks. Stock hat prices range from $65 to $170 and original designs from $125 to $1,000. Custom design prices vary to work within the budget that the client decides. You can see her work at louisavoisine.com.
New and notable
Bling with meaning
Jewelry can have a special meaning to the woman wearing it. Accessories often tell a story. But jewelry from nonprofit organization BeadforLife items aren’t just conversation-starters — they’re a life-changer for Northern Ugandan women.
BeadforLife ( beadforlife.com) empowers impoverished Ugandan women by offering them the skills, training and resources needed to make and sell jewelry. Members roll colorful beads from recycled paper to create about 12 different earring, bracelet and necklace designs. The pieces are bought twice a month at fair trade prices by BeadforLife and sold for $5 to $50.
Jewelry is just the beginning, however. BeadforLife’s goal is for members to be independent of the organization within 18 months, and ready to support themselves within the Ugandan economy by launching their own small business or revenue streams. Step aside, diamonds; paper beads might be a girl’s new best friend.
BeadforLife jewelry is available locally at MJ Christensen, where owner Cliff Miller serves on the BeadforLife Advisory Board.
Trend Alert
From sunshine to soiree
Summer days seem to go by so fast — from starting early to beat the blazing desert heat to afternoons spent seeking out a/c to refreshing cooler nights. In the midst of all of that, running back home to change into a nighttime outfit is a huge inconvenience — and getting into a car that’s been parked under the sun is nothing short of torture. Patty Barba of Patty’s Closet (multiple locations, ilovepattyscloset.com) has a few tips that will help anyone transition from a day at the beach to a night out on the town.
Pack your look. To start, Barba suggests packing an evening clutch inside a daytime summer tote. That way, you can still pack a bathing suit, sunscreen and towel, but ditch all of it for something more formal when you need to.
Go easy. Barba says cream and black rompers and maxi dressers are easy to wear — and even easier to throw on over a swimsuit. The key is to swap out sandy flip-flops for cute wedges or heels later on.
Give it an accent. Pair the fancy footwear with chunky jewelry and a kelly green or fuchsia pink blazer for the perfect seasonal burst of color.