For more than 30 years, Evetta Petty has designed hats in her uptown Manhattan shop and studio. Her creations have graced the heads of men and women: runway models, actors, churchgoing seniors. They’ve been worn to the Kentucky Derby and England’s Royal Ascot. Evetta’s hats grace Vogue covers and A-list celebrities
FWM: Share your background.
After graduating from Fashion Institute of Technology, I started working in a corporate fashion office. I was a fashion marketing major and I made interesting hats for myself as a hobby.
My hats got so much attention that I started doing pop up shops down in Soho on the weekends. My hats sold out immediately. I quit my corporate fashion job and opened a shop and became a full-time self-taught milliner. It was over 30 years ago.
FWM: What is the hottest trend?
The hottest hat trend is currently the bucket hat. Sporty and easy to wear for a man or woman.
Rave Reviews from Clients.
“On stage and off, my clothing has to make a statement. A hat from Harlem’s Heaven is always a crowd-pleaser”.
— Lonnie Youngblood, Jazz Musician, “The Prince of Harlem” New York
“I never leave my house without a hat. I own over 200 hats from Harlem’s Heaven, and I wear them proudly. I am a true hat diva from the old school”.
— Ruth Tudos, Octogenarian and Hat Maven
“I love being on the cutting edge of Fashion and hats are an intricate part of my look. Harlem’s Heaven Hats always make a statement”.
— Rev. Renee F. Washington-Gardner, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, New York City
FWM: Where do you draw your inspiration from for the Kentucky Derby Hats?
Hats that I design for the horse races are mostly thematic. They have high drama and are fun to wear.
FWM: Tell about working with Ruth Tudos.
Ruth Tudos was a great customer. She was a fashion maven and a true lover of hats. She was a very active member of AKA Sorority and often ordered hats in her sorority colors, pink and green.
FWM: What is your favorite hat?
My favorite hat is my sushi hat, made from hand cut wool felt. It looks like sushi rolls and chopsticks.
FWM: Throughout your career, what have you enjoyed the most about designing hats?
I enjoy making hats for television and film. My hats have been all over the world. My proudest accomplishment in my career is having my hats on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of art in a special exhibit of Couture hats.
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