Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karen Morris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Karen, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

To be a fashion designer has been my dream since I was six. Since my home town Hong Kong is a more business and finance-oriented city, I chose Business Administration as a major in University. After graduation, I had been working in marketing and sourcing companies for eight years, until I met my husband, Jeff in 2008 and it changed my career and life.

I moved to Minneapolis in 2009. Shortly after the move, I got a serious depression because I don’t have my family and friends in Minnesota or any around Minnesota. They are all based in Hong Kong. Jeff tried very hard to help me and asked me to look for something to learn so that I can kill the time and meet some new friends. At the same time, there were few royal weddings that cause me fell in love with hats and headpieces. That’s how I started the path to be milliner.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I have been making hats since 2012. My work inspirations are from traveling, architectures and art sculptures. Sometimes, the design ideas are from experiments.

The brand philosophy of “Karen Morris Millinery” is quality, simplicity, and sophisticate. I aim to apply both traditional and modern skills to develop a variety of hat shapes and textures, transformed into multi-functional collections that can be worn in an everyday environment, and yet still has a modern twist.

I offered two Ready-to-Wear Collections annually. The biggest part of my business is Bespoke Hats (custom-made hats). My customers always bring their outfits to my studio and I will tailor-made the colors and trims to match their outfits.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media is the most important elements nowadays. I am one-man business, I am doing everything such as designing, manufacturing, finance, fulfillment. I tried to do my own social media in the first five years, however the results were not so effective. I believed that I didn’t use the good key words, hashtags, make use of videos, reels etc.

Social media is a special knowledge. I would recommend the start-up business owner can try to read some books or attend some workshop about how to use social media to promote business. Or like my business, I hired a marketing agency to handle my social media to grow the followers. Those agencies definitely know what key words, hashtags and perfect wordings they use in your post to grow “Like” and Followers.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Yes, I do manufacture my hats.

I have always been a lover of all things fashion. Growing up in Hong Kong, I had exposure to such a vibrant fashion scene and always loved it. When it came to designing, however, I had issues with drawing and putting my ideas into a two-dimensional concept. I self-taught at the first year. I traveled to London and Australia to attend different workshops in the second year. Right now, I still keep studying new techniques, textiles and technologies for my business.

I use a very traditional hat making technique. First, I spray water to the straw fabric (I often use straw for summer hats) to make it damp and easier to mold. Then, I use a special foam to block the hat into the specific shape needed. I put stiffener on the fabric in order to make sure it is sturdy, and leave the hat on the block to dry for 12 hours. The next day, I take the hat off the block and wire along the edge. I finish the hat by sewing the trims and hat lining. The whole process usually takes 2-3 days. It’s tedious, but I love it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kmhats.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/karenmorrismillinery
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenmorrismillinery
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/karen-morris-1b7aa37

Image Credits
Photo #1: Blue velour felt fedora hat with laser-cut acrylic arrows Photographer: Shelly Mosman Photo #2: Peach large disc sinamay straw hat with curled pheasant feathers Photographer: Erin Smith Photo #3 & 4: Fashion Week MN, event name: Picnic Organizer: Sip N’ Bloom Photo #5: Work-in-process in my workroom