Designer Elizabeth Koch talks about her hot hats for the cold winter

How are things picking up for your hat business? Very fast! I hit the ground running. I could never have imagined that things would have gone this well. I arrived here in August 2007 and all I knew was my idea – I wanted to make hats. But I had nothing to show for it because all my hats were in the container at the time. So all I could do was talk about my hats. I had to get a computer and set up a website, get a phone, because I was living in a hotel at the time. And I was new to china, I had never been to China in my life, I didn’t really speak Chinese, anyway I managed to set everything up and I started contacting magazines and then suddenly I remember getting my first call from a client. At first it was people I knew from the Dutch community. And I was so nervous! But now it’s just second nature.

What’s your craziest hat? Probably my hat with a lobster crawling up the side. I really love that hat! Also, the Eiffel Tower hat. When I thought of that one, I thought this is never going to work. It’s gonna be so not comfortable and so heavy, but people love it! It gets so much attention.

Have you considered doing a Chinese themed hat? Perhaps one with the great wall or the CCTV building perhaps? Well I have been asked to make a hat with a big dragon on it, which I will probably do. An Italian magazine did ask me to make a coliseum hat, but that would just look crazy! As far as buildings are concerned I don’t have any plans, I prefer to stick to animals. So far I have a lobster, dinosaur, peacock and spider, amongst others.

Or maybe a panda next? Do you get a lot of attention wearing your hats out and about in Beijing? YES! I recently went to the Lane Crawford party and then afterwards to the Diesel Party at 798, and I was wearing my teacup hat, and there was so many pictures, it was so funny! But let’s face it—I am wearing a teacup on my head!

So are hats back? Of course! I think that when its summer you should wear hats to protect against the sun. Also, for the winter, you need to keep warm. I’ve had clients ask me for hats not because they’re going to a wedding or the horse races, but just because they want to keep warm on their bicycle!

Nikki Aaron

What: Elisabeth Koch’s hats
Where: Eric Paris Hair Salons
Web: www.elisabethkoch.net