HATTER TO THE STARS –PARIS HILTON AND KIM KARDASHIAN - TALKS TO HAT LIFE

Designer Ariane at a fundraiser KIM KARDASHIAN IN A HAT BY ARIANE

We highlighted the Kentucky Derby hats worn by Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian in the last Hat Life Newsletter, and then we heard from the designer of these infamous hats Ariane Azarpira.

It turns out that Ariane Azarpira is the genius behind the illustrious Kentucky Derby headwear. So now we know who makes the hats that grace celebrities and musicians. Here is her story:

“We recently sold hats to Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian for the Kentucky Derby. My son Amin has designed hats worn by Lindsay Lohan, Samantha Ronsen, Suzanne Sarandon, Beyonce and others,” she said.

Ariane Azarpira was born in Iran and spent most of her formative years in Tehran. She made her own clothes in junior high and designed costumes for a dance production as a teenager. She studied design and millinery at Parsons School of Design and then manufactured her own line of ladies hats.

In 1999 Azarpira opened a boutique in Beverly Hills, but now has a studio and retail store called ARIANE on Melrose Avenue. Her son Amin joined her in the business in 2000 and has a hat line called Max Mack. “My son is a very important part of my business. He makes men's hats that are very popular with those in the music industry.

Ariane has a studio in the back of the store as well. “People enjoy our studio, and look at materials for their special orders. I am the only hat shop in Los Angeles with this setting,” said Ariane.

Both Ariane and he son Amin design and make custom hats, travel hats and sun protective hats. They also design hats for the Kentucky Derby, Ascot, Delmar and the Melbourne Cup.

Ariane and Amin’s hats are atop the heads of music royalty – Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Missy Eliot, Ashton Kutcher, Patty LaBelle , Tommy Lee, Ann Margaret, Ricky Martin and Victoria Rowell.

You can see a video of Paris Hilton's visit to the Ariane store.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2lUFpnfKT4

Her website is: www.ariane-millinery.com

Paris Hilton at the Ariane Store in LA