Via The Manhattantimes News , Vol 9, No. 11, March 13 to March 19, 2008 edition.
By Cynthia Paulino. Photo by Mike Fitelson.
In a resurrection of vintage style, accessory designer Jennifer Ouellette has brought modern headwear to Washington Heights with her new, charming uptown showroom on W. 181st Street. The boutique features hats, ponytail holders, barrettes, bobby pins and headbands. It is a fashion gem in New York’s quietly burgeoning artistic community of Washington Heights, featuring a well-trained local designer and merchandise that is popular among celebrities.
Jennifer Ouellette studied fashion business, construction, and design at the University of Missouri-Columbia and at the London College of Fashion. Beyond her education in the classroom, she has worked with prominent American and European milliners. Her hats and hair accessories have graced the pages of countless publications from Vogue and The New York Times and the heads of such luminaries as Sara Jessica Parker and Jennifer Lopez.
During a recent interview, we sat in the kitchenette of her uptown showroom, enjoying organic cookies and green tea. Hidden from the showroom and the public’s view, Whole Foods bags peaked out from a corner in the kitchenette.
How does Ouellette feel about the hankering for her headwear among celebrity fashionistas? “To have them [my products] photographed like that is really special,” she said. “It feels like all the hard work is paying off.”
20 W 38th Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10018
By Appointment Only
11am-6pm
212.927.7451
contact at jenniferouellette dot com
Update: Jennifer Ouellette is having a sample sale (.pdf file) at her Midtown Showroom on Thursday and Friday, March 27th and March 28th, from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Ouellette’s creations are modern combinations of vintage style and comfortable fits. As one of the few, if not the only, hat makers in the neighborhood who does not sell one-size-fits-all fedoras on the street, her accessories deliver singular style and quality. They combine art, fashion, and theater as they create drama for the wearers and add an artistic element to their style. Ouellette explained how she combines the artistic elements without sacrificing comfort. “I have a different sensibility than most hair accessory designers,” she said. “I studied hats so I know how the head is shaped, and I make my hats comfortable and soft.” In fact, she received a U.S. patent for her pain-free headband design.
Jennifer Ouellette has more than 100 clients, including many upscale stores, such as Barney’s in New York, and highend boutiques around the world. Many of her products can be found as far away as London, Tokyo, and New Zealand. Even though she interacts with mostly wholesale clients, she also receives outof-town customers who do not work in the fashion industry. “A lot of people come from Los Angeles too. If they don’t find something in Barney’s, they’ll come up here. It’s like destination shopping,” she said.
Like many artists, Jennifer Ouellette prefers to set trends rather than follow the season’s standards. She uses unique designs and handcrafted materials, including millinery materials and custom-made metal. “A beautiful design is like a classic film. It stands the test of time. I prefer sophisticated and interesting shapes, a new twist on classics,” Ouellette explained.
As Ouellette walked me through her storefront, I couldn’t help but think that it functions almost as a fashionista’s classroom. Merchandise hangs from racks and shelves fixed to the walls. The headwear designer uses the open space in the middle of the room to guide her customers through the store. In essence, she provides a personal learning experience as she explains hats and their construction to her customers.
In contrast, the workroom behind the uptown showroom is more like the backstage of a theater, with hat-making and design happening without the customers’ notice. Bachata music and chatter in Dominican-tinged Spanish were softly heard in this expansive room, where ribbons and cloth overtake most of the counter space. As Ouellette’s employees checked Internet orders and created hats, I felt a familial vibe. Ouellette confirms it: “I hire local people who really like making things for people’s heads. I still have my first employee, who’s been with me for eight years. Next week, she’s going on vacation for three weeks. I’m probably going to freak out during that time,” she said, laughing. “We’re a lot like a family.”
With the increasing popularity of her creations and her expansion into Washington Heights, Jennifer Ouellette is a prominent figure in the fashion world. For the fashionistas and the aspiring trendsetters, she advises, “Express yourself with a hat – that means guys too!! Hats keep you warm and help you protect your skin from the sun. In other words, hats are good for you. Pick one that gets you noticed and suits your style!” For trendy accessory assistance, visit Jennifer Ouellette’s Uptown Showroom, which is located on at 854 West 181st Street, Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 6pm.
