An interview with exclusive headpiece artist Adalia B

A few days before the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Malta and the Chamilia Fashion Awards 2016, I catch up with one of the designers participating.

Since 2014, Adalia Bonnici (Bonanno) has started creating headpieces from the little studio in her home, making bespoke handmade creations for special occasions such as weddings, holy communions and fashion events.

Her mission is to provide her clients with the perfect hat or headpiece and to make women feel great on their special occasion.

She is known for her beautiful handwork and designs resulting in the glamorous, feminine elegance on which she has built her reputation. Her success arises from a passion for her artisanal craftsmanship, and an understanding of the balance required for a hat to compliment and finish an outfit.

I personally remember Adalia to be a catwalk model a few years back, and I have seen her strut her stuff on fashion show catwalks. It is only recently that I came across some beautiful pieces she made for international customers. I must say, I was impressed with her work and I’m really looking forward to experience her first official launch show at the MALTA FASHION WEEK on Monday 16th May.

Malta Fashion Week 2016 will be showcasing Adalia’s collection inspired by nature and freedom of creativity and art called ‘The Secret Garden Spring/Summer Collection’.

In the meantime, I managed to steal some of her precious time in the final week of preparations to be able to share some information with you.

Adalia, what made you start making hat designs?

In May 2014, I was invited to a big family wedding and I thought of creating a headpiece for my mother, two friends of mine and one for myself. The amount of positive feedback I received during that wedding for all the four pieces I made was very unexpected. Friends and friends of friends started asking me to create pieces for them, and as you know the word of mouth is very powerful as I have been busy creating innovative pieces since then.

How did you learn the skill, I mean it’s not something you are born with!

I am self-taught. I have travelled on various occasions on educational courses and I have also registered in various online Milliner Academics. I love fabric manipulation and new innovative techniques and I enjoy working with different materials and textures. Practice and experience makes it exciting for me and I push my limits year on year to create new pieces to suit the personal event or requirement.

Who are your creations inspired by?

I love spending hours on Pinterest looking at picture of innovative headpieces and studying their techniques and searching how to create similar ideas. I also spend many hours testing out materials and trying out manipulation of fabrics and raw materials. Also I love travelling around Europe and Asia mostly and visiting Millinery workshops and millinery outlets , always discovering new materials and learning new techniques.

I am a huge fan of the works by Philip Treacy, a designer who is widely credited to changing the perception of the hat; He designs hats to flatter and enhance the wearer. It would be such an honour to meet him some day and visit his work shop!
How do you go about creating an individual piece?

Once I decide on the materials I’m using, the colour schemes and the style I want to achieve, I spend hours in my studio developing the concept. I am known to be a perfectionist, so I keep changing bits to it until I’m pleased enough with it to send it off to my customer.

Any colours or textures you prefer using ?

Not really… I just love changing from one headpiece to another… do not enjoy working on the same material or colour for a very long time… many times I am working on two or three pieces simultaneously as that is how I get more inspired.

What can you tell us about this year’s show at the Chamilia and Mercedes Benz Fashion Awards without revealing too much?

I have stepped away from the conservative headpieces that I normally create for my clients and let my imagination run free for this show. I have created pieces that will only be worn by the daring ones, who want to make a statement but I also have created some pieces that although they are still innovative and slightly daring they are ready to wear. I was in a very colourful happy mood when I started designing my collection, so expect some colourful pieces. The sunny weather in our Maltese Islands has intrigued me to go for long walks in the country side. Hence my inspiration from nature focusing on mix of colours and flowers is what you will see.

Adalia is very excited about this event. She also has interesting surprises for all those attending. She has allowed me to tell you that FZammit Garden Centre will be taking care of creating a very welcoming venue for her show – a secret garden. James Aquilina the mixologist will be creating his own magic with colourful, tasty cocktails and sweet treats by the Sugar Kitchen who will be preparing fashionable sweet treats for all guests. Well, I can’t wait!

MALTA FASHION WEEK 2016 will be showcasing Adalia’s collection inspired by nature and freedom of creativity and art called ‘The Secret Garden Spring/Summer Collection’ on Monday 16th May.