Meet Crystal Birch | Milliner + The Hat Factory Owner – Founder of Crystal Birch – hat maker? Entrepreneur and Milliner?

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal Birch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I have allowed to follow my instincts as a mother, tuned in to listen and be way more patient. The freedom Anouk, my daughter has always had to express herself, feeling safe and loved – is a great
environment for her to blossom and spread her magic and develop as her own little person.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner of The Hat Factory – Formerly known as Parisian Milliners established in 1936 by The Fakto family in Cape Town. Im also the founder of Crystal Birch the brand. I discovered the factory on a student outing and fell in love with its heritage, unique skill, and time bubble it lived in.

I am the only trained milliner that owns one of the last three Millinery factories in South Africa – The other factories are family-owned businesses. We block in the traditional way with heated blocks, gas and steam, we use traditional craftsmanship in a contemporary way.

The Hat Factory produces predominantly Crystal Birch, but we have many white labels and special collaborations. We produce hats for Thebe Magugu, Rich Mnisi, Melville and Moon, Beachcult and many more. What sets us apart is our quality, experimental side, that allows us to play and test the market.

I’m SUPER proud of my team and the community we have inside the factory after many hardships. We got evicted during lockdown and I feel that was definitely one of my biggest achievements to move a 1200M2 in storming weather in record time with the Mad Max rigging crew. The commercial movers were not keen or equipped to move all our old machinery. We always say that being South African needs to be a skill on your CV – we have dealt and dealt with big challenges like taxi violence, riots, floods,currently load shedding – which means we have no electricity for 4 – 10 hours a day. This affects every team member, production, cash flow, and deadlines and our economic crisis adds some extra spice to that!

I think what has pulled us through is my vision, my team’s tenacity and humour, our work ethic and that we keep pushing. This is not easy and has not been as cute as it sounds. I’ve learnt many lessons, during lockdown, resizing a company and moving an old factory, to kick start this dinosaur was not just about making hats. All the facets of it – contracts, union, legal, HR, creative, Sales, logistics, production flow, cash flow, how to keep the flow and if not to trust. I also have mentors and consultants I reach out to and can unpack many issues with my team to resolve and move forward again or to reflect and redirect.

I want the world to know that one hat goes through a minimum of 12 people’s hands to create on our floor, its a very special niche industry and that a hat is not JUST for special occasions, you have the licence to enjoy them any time and create your own occasion to wear them to!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
OOOOH! I would love for us to stay at The Dorp Hotel and go to the following places:

Breakfast
Butter All day
Lellos Deli – de waterkant
Clarkes

Lunch
Clarkes
La Perla
Kloof street House
Dinner
Tomsons
Bodega for Ramen
Ramenhead

Drinks
Leos winebar
The moveable Feast
Blondies for Palomas – yum!

Local shopping
AKJP
43 on Bree
The Watershed in the V&A waterfront
AAFRIKAA store
SAD store de Waterkant

Winefarms
Babylonstoren
Boschendal
Klein Roseboom
Stellenbosh for a day to walk around in the town

The Zeitz MOCAA + Iziko Museum for art!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow yes to so many women around me who create such artisanal products and beautiful things that inspire and motivate me!!!

Missibaba leather work and handbags
Manthe Rbane as a person and `Natura Colab that she created
Ida Elsje Jewellery – just magical
The Herd – beaded Zulu collective with women beading inteuqute stories
Tracy Lee Lynch – A WONDROUS woman with a trans child, an open mind and dynamic projects like CLOUT designs

I have so many enigmatic humans creating good shit around me and ASHA 11 too! Grateful for that!

Website: www.therealcrystalbirch.com

Instagram: @therealcrystalbirch

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealcrystalbirch/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealcrystalbirchmilliner

Image Credits
All Campaign images Photographer ; Luke Houba HMU : Nicola Loots Stylist: Peter Georgiades Models: Sinazo @20modelmanagement Caro @3Dmodelagency Muses: Retha Erichson, Bev Nates and Sahil (All info in IG posts too incase)