Behind the Brand: Teressa Foglia
Customization is a big part of CURATEUR and we applaud other brands that feel the same. Being able to make something your very own is a vital part of fashion and self-expression. Hence, the reason why Rachel Zoe loves styling and lending a helping hand to others to do the same for themselves.
Teressa Foglia, a self-named and female-founded brand, understands the importance of customization and self-expression in the same way we do. That’s why her brand of hats has become so wildly successful and a big reason for us hosting one of her products in our spring curation. Ahead, we dive deeper into the impetus of the Teressa Foglia brand and the woman behind it all.
In your own words, can you please describe the impetus of the brand, Teressa Foglia?
It started with a passion for making one-of-a-kind hats as unique as the wearer. My brand embodies my creative spirit and also allows me to share my love for sustainability with my clients. I recognized early on that one size does not fit all, and placed an emphasis on the customization process as it’s integral to my brand. Every hat we create reflects our client’s personality and is sure to be the most cherished in their collection.
What inspired you to start your own hat line?
My friends, first and foremost, and I have loved hats since I was a little girl, especially statement hats! After taking a hat-making course for fun in Europe in the summer of 2016, my friends began asking if they could work with me to make a unique hat. I quickly realized that the key to a sustainable business lies within the customization process. A client’s ability to create a one-of-a-kind piece with our design team means that their creation will never go out of style. Slow fashion is at the core of my brand, and every hat is handmade using the highest quality ethically sourced materials in my Brooklyn, Malibu, and Nolita ateliers. My ultimate mission is to inspire the human spirit one hat at a time while maintaining a transparent manufacturing process.
What put the Teressa Foglia name on the map? How has the initial style evolved since (if at all)?
It was a combination of our clients and our ateliers, retailers, and community building. My early relationships with our retailers have also been critical. Bergdorf Goodman was one of our first wholesale accounts. We designed a special collection for Fashion Director Linda Fargo’s 4th floor, where some of the most talented stylists discovered our brand. Once our collection was in Bergdorf Goodman, we started seeing some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry designing hats with us, including Jamie Chung, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Keri Russell, and Ashley Graham. Once we opened in Malibu in 2019, we created pieces for Cindy Crawford, Miley Cyrus, Gerard Butler, and Owen Wilson. We were also lucky enough to be featured on the cover of entrepreneur and female maker magazines and partner with some big names like Mastercard, WordPress, and now CURATEUR! My relationship with my business and life partner, Tyler Hays Wild, gave my initial brand a breath of new creative direction. Tyler is a lifelong fine artist and also a hat maker whose contributions to our craft and design process have been consequential to our success. While our designs and styles have changed so much since I started making hats, our core product remains the pinched crown felt hat. Since 99% of our work is custom, it is evolving every day!
What influences the Teressa Foglia aesthetic and style?
I feel inspired every day by my environment and my creative team members, but I would have to say that my previous travel experiences influence our aesthetic the most. Before making hats, I was a digital nomad and traveled to over 40 countries. I often sort through thousands of travel photos for collection ideas and possible color combinations. I also always draw inspiration from the interior design of places where I stayed and urban architecture.
What separates the Lynn Hat (found in our spring curation) from the rest of your pieces?
Because we hand make custom pieces, the hats often tell someone’s story utilizing many design elements. Conversely, the Lynn hat is the perfect neutral staple piece. I wanted everyone to have the design that I keep in my closet as my everyday wear. This hat has a super flattering shape, a lovely color, and a delicate trim. I think this design is beautiful to dress up or down, which makes it extremely functional.
What can we expect from you and the Teressa Foglia brand in 2021?
We are looking forward to bringing our clients more experiences, products, and collaborations! We are excited to get back to our brick-and-mortar roots because cultivating these experiences is a huge part of our brand identity. We don’t want to give too much away, but we have plans for expansions within California and across the country from Florida to Texas and even Tennessee! Each of these new retail spaces will grant us the opportunity to collaborate with brands whose values align with ours. We are excited to see what 2021 holds!