Frida Barfod
How did you become a hat lover?
When I was younger, I would buy cheap old hats and redesign them with flowers, feathers, glitter, and more for parties. I have always loved dressing up, and I think a hat is integral to a costume. I studied Fashion Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts; I had an internship in Norway. There I learned the basic techniques for hat making. I really loved the process, starting with shapes and building up into a hat. When I finished my education, I decided to learn more about hats. Therefore, I applied for an internship at the Hat and Flower Department at the Royal Danish Theater. When I was accepted, I spent three years as a student at their workshop. There I learned the craftsmanship of theatre hats, flowers, masks, tails, and more. I finished my education three years ago, and I am now a self-employed hat designer. I work for different theatres and musicals, but I also work on my own designs. I love to combine my background as a fashion designer with the craftsmanship of hat making.
Describe your creative process, from start to finish.
As a start, I'm building up a universe, a small story, and a mood-board for inspiration. Often, I start experimenting with textile techniques, fabric, and colors. Then I start drawing and draping the shape of the hats. Sometimes it's challenging to combine the silhouette and the textile. When I have chosen the fabric, I begin my experiments with the material. I always work in a big mess. I have so much fun doing experiments and getting a lot of ideas. I think this is the fun part of designing. I think I could make 100 different hats out of just one inspiration, if I had the time. It is a more significant challenge to simplify and choose the best ideas. I like a clean, sculptural, and voluminous shape. So, it's essential for me to clean the table to choose the best ideas.
What project has made you the proudest?
I really enjoyed my collaboration with Lærke Valum, where we created the plexihats. I like doing collaborations because you get new and exciting ideas. I'm also happy about the hairy hats I made. I enjoy working with colors and structure, and I think these hats speak for themself.
You have a signature style that is so unique. Your collection looks like wearable art. Where do you get your inspiration?
Thanks a lot! I'm very inspired by storytelling. My projects are often built around a small world and its characters. The stories are always quirky, humorous, and usually take place in a playful and naive world. It creates positive energy in the work, and when I'm in doubt, I can always find the answer within my story and its characters. I work a lot with colors and textiles, and therefore my stories often take place in an environment where I can draw inspiration from precisely that. The inspiration can come from nature, sculptures, any structure where I find inspiration.
In one of my collections, "The Cake Eating People," I created a story about a group of characters enjoying themselves vigorously eating cake. Therefore, a big bite has been taken out of all the brims of the hats. By this, I hope people sense the story behind the pieces and are amused.
What do you love most about making things with your hands?
I like the idea that what starts as an abstract idea in my mind can be tangible by crafting it with my hands. There is not an easy way to do that. At first, I'll make a sketch. Then I will experiment with different materials and technics. And by working with my hands, some clearer ideas start to emerge, and from there, I can choose a path toward the final product.
Your continued collaboration with Lærke Valum seems like the perfect partnership. How did it come about?
Lærke was doing one of her first collections and asked me if I wanted to collaborate by making hats for the line. We spent days where we talked, drew, and discussed colors and fabric. Then we settled on some possible designs and created three plexiglass hats together.
I deeply love working with others through collaborations to challenge my design and to learn their skills. Lærke and I had so much fun with the hats, and we also collaborated on her following collection.
How has social media influenced your business journey?
It's easier for me to get in touch with people, colleagues, and customers outside Denmark. Denmark is a small country and not particularly into big sculptural hats, so I'm glad that it's possible to show my work worldwide to everyone who enjoys my hats. I'm so happy about all the positive feedback I get on my work, it motivates me to make more.
What projects are you currently working on?
I just finished a small new collection of hats. They are a collaboration with the brand "Sicels," which designs prints and scarves. Each headpiece is created to incorporate the scarves and give the hat more than one way to style. My recent project was inspired by big vintage sunhats mixed with clean voluminous shapes and a touch of Asia.
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