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| Fashion Designer & Milliner, Lopeti Etu |
The signature touch to any ensemble is the accessory. This vital piece can either reward you with
rave reviews & approval or forever categorize you as a fashion victim (don’t
believe me, just ask Kristen Wiig). Many
of us have a key accessory that we deem as our “go-to” to tell our fashion
story. For many, that final added piece
to complete the look is a hat. For this next installment of my series
highlighting innovative and ground breaking Pasifika fashion talent, I
introduce to you, Lopeti Etu.
Lopeti Etu is an innovative fashion designer and milliner
based in New York City who draws inspiration from the world around him. Etu
hand blocks all his hats, and creates one of a kind pieces using local
suppliers and craftspeople.
After having worked in the fashion industry for many years,
Etu took a risk and started his own millinery label in 2010 with business
partner, David Balluff. They aspire to bring daring and verve back into the New
York millinery world.
Lopeti Etu first became introduced to hats and hatmaking
when his grandfather made him a straw hat in his native Tonga for a school
dance. Etu recalls that while most children were wearing store-bought hats, his
grandfather's hand-woven creation made him happy.
His millinery designs have appeared on the cover of French
Vogue, and in editorial shoots for Elle, Bazaar, O, Glamour and Self. Several
of Etu's hats also made an appearance on the first season of Bravo's Work of
Art: The Next Great Artist, worn by contestant Nao Bustamante.
*Photo Credit: King Redman
Check out some of my favorite pieces from Etu's Spring 2011 collection:
Thank you so much Ana. I am honored and grateful for your kindness.
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Lopeti Etu
It was my pleasure! Thank you for being such an amazing example for other fellow Pasifka people trying to also navigate their way in this fashion world :)
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