Who am I-krystynasoutrageoushats.net

Who am I...

Krystyna's Biographical Stuff

Profile:
Krystyna Schweizer is a Hat Maker based in Irymple near Mildura, Victoria, in the 'Outback' of 'regional' Australia. Her creations are a celebration of diversity, ranging from hats-as-art through to hats for fashion wear and everyday use. All hats are home-made by Krystyna in her backyard railway carriage workshop. Originally from Switzerland, Krystyna, born in 1950 spent much of her childhood in a tribal village in the Belgian Congo (Africa) and migrated to Australia in the early 1970s. Wisdom gained from her former occupations as nurse, social worker, and organic grower have strongly influenced her social enterprise approach to business. It also reflects her life long commitment to social justice and sustainability.

The only person sweating in her workshop is herself!

Krystyna describes her business as a humble, one woman cottage craft ' hands on', low budget enterprise without the bells and whistles of modern marketing by the Tourism/Fashion Industry.

Keep it simple – Keep it small – Keep control

Krystyna has won a Mad Hatters Award at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival in 2003.

In Krystyna's Hat Studio

You will discover contemporary fashion hats/caps for women, children and men, practical head wear, casual and formal occasions, costume hats suitable for stage, film acts and hats for those suffering from hair loss.

A large range of hats/caps are for sale. If your size is not available, Krystyna can make you up something to suit your needs. Hats/caps are handcrafted from unique quality materials and will last you for many years provided you follow care instructions.

Krystyna gives fresh life to old fabric. She'll turn your favourite old dressing gown, jeans, ball gown, images on your old T-shirt, fur coat, neckties, bedspread or curtains, junk jewellery, garments destined for the ragbag, into beautiful hats! She does not believe in wastage!

Aims & Objectives:

Krystyna makes hats as tools for communication acting as a metaphor to stimulate discussion on social, political and philosophical issues and the sheer fun of it.

Krystyna will tell you without qualm if the hat you picked does not suit you. She prefers to lose a sale rather than have you walk out with an unbecoming hat!

One has to learn to laugh at oneself! It is good medicine and will add a bit of 'magic' to your busy life. To instill confidence and encourage people to wear hats that enhance their image! To convince people to create their own hats literally!

Testimonials:

Leonie Murphy, Author ( Cardross ) Renowned hat artisan Krystyna Schweizer creates her designs in a workshop nestled in an unlikely place. She is known in Sunraysia as the Mad Hatter. This woman's history is more colourful than Debono's hats. She is a natural storyteller and has often considered writing her stories down, but each time she starts to write she finds herself designing another hat instead. Her semi-nomadic lifestyle has seen Krystyna evolve into a philosopher of sorts and she balances it with her hat making. The two pursuits feed each other.. (quote from 'Hat Talk' interview, 2001

Letter from Bette Midler (2005) Thank you, Krystyna -I love your precious gifts to me - Can't wait to wear 'em in New York City - Aloha, Bette.

Colin Hay (formerly Men At Work) at Port Fairy Folk Festival 2001: "Krystyna your hats speak louder than words! I have never witnessed an interesting collection of hats like yours anywhere in the world."

Cecilia (Colin Hay's partner)2001: In conversation whilst purchasing dozens of hats for the entourage for stage performances in Los Angeles: "Krystyna what are you doing being poor in the outback of Australia? Come to Los Angeles with us and you'll be wealthy! People will be fighting over your hats."

Message from Paul Mc Cartney (formerly Beatles) 2002: conveyed in person by Paul's friend Cecilia at Woodford Folk Festival "Give my greetings to Krystyna and tell her I love her hats".

Bev Isaac: With her unique vision of 21 century life Krystyna's outrageous hats have rocked my world from the moment I walked into her shop in Mildura in 1993. Her hats are brilliant, people love them . I wouldn't feel dressed without one. They break down barriers between people, are great conversation starters and they give charisma and confidence to the hatted one and often a laugh and a joke as well. People flock to her stall trying on hats, checking in mirrors and looking at a wide range of fashion wisdom and fun. I would not dream of going out or performing without one. They are beautifully made by the hand of the artist. I met Jenny Morris at Krystyna's stall at Woodford Queensland. She bought a fabulous sensual evening number with feathers for a Coffs Harbour gig. She looked wonderful in red. You never know who you will meet at Krystyna's hat stall!

Peter Voice: Principle Artist and Director "Chalk Circle" As an internationally recognized performance artist, image is of the utmost importance and Krystyna's hats are now an essential part of mine. I could hardly imagine leaving the house without one.

Thank you to Stefano de Pieri for modelling 'No Mallee Toxic Waste' hat on front page of brochure.

Artist Statement:

What I do is the antidote to traditional millinery. Some of it could be classified as grunge or kitsch with a humouring political twist to it. With some hats leaning towards Surrealism. Often misunderstood by the 'uninformed or unaware'!

My mission is to demonstrate how hats can be socio/political art, an expression of oneself, radical and above all, beautiful, useful and joyful for both sexes!
Hats can be tools for communication, acting as a metaphor, breaking down barriers amongst people, stimulate discussions and the sheer fun of it.
Focusing on serious issues highlighting the irony of politics, traditions and superstitions.

The hat is the medium I use to express my perception of current affairs. Listening to issues about the war in Iraq, refugees, famine, disease in Africa, slaughter of human beings and animals whether intentional or due to ignorance, devastation of the forests, pollution of the waterways, the speedy erosion of our achievements for emancipation of women's, workers and human rights in western society, death of democracy and civil society has prompted me to create socio/political hat sculptures.

Hats have been used as a powerful metaphor since ancient times!
Nevertheless there is always hope. If I am told that the world ends tomorrow, I will plant a tree today!

I create hats for the clowns, jesters, actors, painters, poets, writers, singers, call girls, cooks, directors, home keepers, teachers, adults and children of both sexes and for those who simply want to look beautiful or handsome or make a statement.. As Mae West said: "I rather be looked at than overlooked"!!!!

Since 1992, I have created over ten thousand hats with my own hands near Mildura in the Outback of Victoria, Australia. No two are the same. It is my 80 hour/week occupation and my humble livelihood! I rather refer to myself as a freelance 'bush' hatter not a milliner! Passionate/Compulsive/Obsessive!

All my hats are creations of my imagination. I make whatever springs into my mind and put it out there for people to look at and buy.

Currently I have two hats in gestation. One is named Condoms & Lemons relating to HIV and a possible simple solution used by women for centuries. The other one 'John Howard's Crown' depicting 'the emergence of the 51st State Of America named OZ'.

Education:

My background is in nursing, social work and organically certified horticulture. In the early 80's, I studied fine arts for a while. English is my fourth language.

Exhibitions:

My usual venues since 1993 as a stallholder every year at:

Woodford Folk Festival
Port Fairy Folk Festival
Adelaide Fringe (2000 & 2006)
Womadelaide
National Folk Festival, Canberra
Victor Harbour Folk Festival (1990's)
Mindil Beach Sunset Market, Darwin (July 2005)

Winner of Mad Hatters Prize in 2003 Alice Springs Beanie Festival

Star Artist of the Month, July 2006 at the Australian Women's Art Register .

ABC Radio National, Lifematters - Introduction, 23 August 2006:

- the many hats of Krystyna Schweizer

Our guest today is sometimes known as the 'mad hatter' where she comes from - but for Krystyna Schweizer a hat can speak a thousand words. Krystyna designs hats not just for warmth, shade or glamour but as tools for communication - outspoken hats that make people talk and break down barriers in the process.