NEW YORK CITY HAT STORE STILL LIFE IS NOW MANUFACTURING HATS

The Lower East Side hat store Still Life announces a new design initiative. Known for one-of-a-kind, handmade and custom hats, Still Life will now add Still Life Reserve, a full-service factory with hand blocking and custom die machinery in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Still Life owner and chief designer is New Jersey native Frenel Morris (who proclaims to be a passionate milliner). Still Life Reserve is offering blocking services to other designers, as well as their own designs. They recently acquired heirloom equipment from Manny’s Millinery, which recently closed.

Much of the equipment is discontinued, which is a boon for Morris (they now have their own factory). They also bought vintage hat blocks (Peter & Irving collection) which are being used in production for various high-end design houses.

Still Life Headquarters will remain at the Orchard Street store (they were recently written up in GQ Magazine). “With this new initiative, we’re bringing the industry and tradition of hat craftsmanship back to the US. It’s about the pride of making our own product here in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and having a hands-on experience creating each individual piece. We take pride in our product and want it to be the best it can possibly be. The only way to do that is to produce it ourselves."