We were lucky to catch up with Rowell Concepcion recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rowell, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I studied millinery at The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. Not every class it taught every season, so it was a longer process to finish the program, but for anyone interested in the craft, it is 100% worth it. Everything I learned from FIT created a great foundation for my work today. For anyone interested in speeding up the learning curve, I recommend experimenting over and over. Sometimes it turns out beyond expectation and sometimes it’s a total flop. I am grateful for every headpiece that hasn’t been up to par, because it forces me to think about how to do things better. In millinery, the most essential skills include flexing the right hemisphere of your brain, having the patience to be meticulous because everything shows on a hat or headpiece, and not being afraid to mess up because there is always a way to fix things. The craft can be an expensive endeavor, but there are resourceful ways to go about it. For example, before I bought a commercial hat steamer, I used steam from boiling water in a good old large stainless steel pot. Wooden hat blocks can also get costly, but if you invest in a basic round crown, you can manipulate felt and straw by hand. As for suppliers, there are very few in the millinery industry, but I would look for vintage and thrifted materials to practice on to start. And if you love it, go for it and continue on the millinery journey.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Binata Millinery is a hat label focused on old world craftsmanship to help the fashion forward turn their daily outfits into head turners. All styles are handmade using traditional millinery techniques and responsibly sourced materials. Binata Millinery is inspired by all things playful, quirky, and whimsical.

On how it began: It all started during my first trip to The Philippines. My parents took me aside and shared their dream for me. It was not to become a doctor or a lawyer, but to start a business to help the community – our community. This was the moment everything clicked, and I felt a sense of pride and purpose.

The Philippines has a rich culture and history, but it is often overlooked in Western societies, especially when it comes to art and fashion. I have made it my mission to merge my passion to help artisans in my parents’ hometowns, while establishing a studio here in NYC.

After the passing of my dad from Covid, I officially launched my brand in August 2020 as a tribute to him and a nod to my heritage. Binata is a Filipino word that signifies a free spirit. I love creating hats for those that aren’t afraid to stand out and be completely themselves.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Maximum Achievement by Brian Tracy has helped my mindset in both my personal and business life. His book gave me clarity about what I needed to get to where I wanted to go. The two major concepts I took from his teachings are to not just think about the bigger picture but to also ponder the details and day-to-day minituae of what that future looks like, and to condition oneself to think positively. Just changing my mindset has helped me make better business decisions.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to teach, train, and employ artisans in my mom and dad’s home provinces in The Philippines while establishing a millinery studio in the US. Whenever I get discouraged in my business, I think about my goal and it motivates me to keep going. I want to be able to help others with my millinery skills.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.binatamillinery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/binatamillinery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BinataMillinery/

Image Credits
Binata Millinery