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SHOP TALK

Look for this and more every Wednesday in the St. Charles Avenue newsletter and catch Shop Talk live every Friday on our Instagram @stcharlesavenuemag at lunchtime! What local finds should we feature next? Email shoptalk@myneworleans.com.

Meet Penn

BLOGGER FOR SHOP TALK

Penn larocci is a born and raised New Orleanian. After graduating from Tulane University she lived in NYC for nine years working in sales and marketing at an investment bank. When she missed New Orleans more than she could stand, she moved back home, met her husband and started a family. She's now raising two rambunctious little boys and spending her free time on environmental sustainability projects.

Artful Toppers

Hats are fabulous in theory but are they in practice? Sure, they help mask a bad hair day, keep you warm and elevate an outfit, but one wrong move and you wind up looking dowdy or “costumey.” How do you pick the right one (and save yourself potential embarrassment) when it’s so tempting to just grab the latest style? In researching this topic, one thing became clear rather quickly (as is the case with so many things in life) – consulting an expert is paramount to success. Don’t take a short cut. Your ideal hat is unique, just like you, and enlisting a trained professional for a custom fit will patently uplift your personal style.

In 2017, Mimi Holaday launched her label Halo Mimi with the mission, “to create luxury one-of-a-kind hats for one-of-a-kind people.” She earned her stripes working for dress maker, Ted Kim (former senior designer for Michael Kors) as well as serving as creative director for a textile design studio in Los Angeles. And now, the New Orleans native meticulously crafts both custom and ready to wear hats for everyday as well as weddings and other special events. Read on to learn more about Halo Mimi and the craft of millinery. Find the full interview on our website.

How/why did you choose millinery? New Orleans is iconic for the vintage inspired style of a formal hat, but I couldn’t find any options made with quality fur felts or premium Panama straw for a casual, contemporary look. This inspired my mission to create timeless designs made from premium materials that are “one of a kind,” and to ensure they are worn often.

What are the key things to consider when buying a custom hat? Wearing a hat well means it suits the shape of your face. The color should be complementary to your skin, wardrobe, and also fit comfortably. My job is to ensure the design is balanced, striking, unique and timeless.

How can we support you? Visit my website at halomimi.com to see my gallery of work and follow me on Instagram @HaloMimi.label for new styles. If you are ready to create a custom piece, email me at mimi@ halomimi.com.

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