Meet Miss Larroudé: Gigi Burris

An old fashion friend, and maker of the most perfect millinery masterpiece, Gigi Burris is the name in hatmaking. Equally enamored of accessories, we talked to Gigi about a day-in-the-life, where she finds inspiration, and how she cultivates her singular style.

Name:

Gigi Burris O’Hara

IG Handle

@gigiburris

Where do you live?

Brooklyn

What is your job title?

Founder of Gigi Burris Millinery

Favorite Larroudé shoe for Fall?

The Ines & The Kate Boot.

What excites you about the season?

Spending time upstate with our Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Bo.

Favorite restaurant/dish in your city?

Shrimp Wontons at our favorite Chinatown restaurant Uncle Lou’s—it’s right near our newly opened Gigi Burris Millinery shop on Pell Street.

IG Account(s) you follow for Inspo:

 I love @worldofinteriors for interesting spaces.

What inspires you? 

Vintage ribbon.

How did you get your start?

After graduating from Parsons School of Design with a Fashion Design degree, I created commissioned hats for photoshoots/stylists and it eventually grew into a legitimate business.

Piece of advice for your younger self / One thing you wish you knew when you were first starting out?

ALWAYS follow your gut and have faith it will work.

What does a typical day at work look like? 

Days start early around 8 AM at the blocking factory in Brooklyn, then we head into the city where I work at our atelier in the back of our store. Being in close proximity to the store, I am able to work directly with clients/brides which is the favorite part of the day. 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your industry?

We make each of our hats by hand using hand-blocking techniques and traditional millinery skills—artisans are hard to find and materials are becoming more and more scarce for hatmaking as the industry tightens.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I pray that I will still be doing what I love and creating joy for people through the perfect head accessory.

What’s your go-to Spotify Playlist?

This is the playlist we use at the Gigi Burris Millinery store at 23 Pell Street. It’s called Pell Street Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0WpTUNZfWyLgIpv7ZOwU6M

What is your fashion uniform? 

 A little feminine, always black, and a little western rock and roll flair.