MEET THE MILLINERS
CRYSTAL BIRCH
Check-printed knitwear takes centre stage in Crystal Birch’s latest capsule collection of berets and scarves. The knitted pattern, which was inspired by the jumbo plastic “checked” bag, is a new direction for Birch, who usually uses felt and haberdashery miscellany to create her iconic hats. Birch, who describes her design aesthetic as playful and spontaneous, recently became a partner in a 1930s hat factory in Cape Town — so new and exciting things from The Real Crystal Birch are sure to follow. therealcrystalbirch.com
SIMON AND MARY
Dean Pozniak, Simon and Mary’s creative director, cites “value, quality and heritage” as key to making a timeless accessory. Working with equipment acquired throughout the 20th century and blocks and pressing machines that were purchased from Italy in the ’50s, Simon and Mary’s latest collection — inspired by the little green army toys Pozniak loved to play with as a child — features pith and Mountie silhouettes, as well as their Jerzy crown, combined with a rip-tech camo for the brim. simonandmary.co.za