In a world dominated by fast fashion, the art of craftsmanship is often forgotten. However, when a career is driven by a passion for the bespoke and carefully crafted, the artistry cannot be ignored.
Renowned milliner Albertus Quartus Swanepoel understood this all too well. The South African-born, New York-based designer passed away unexpectedly last Wednesday night, leaving behind an incredible career in sartorial headwear marked by his expressive, witty and sophisticated take on millinery.
After graduating from the University of Pretoria with a BA in fine arts, Swanepoel started his own clothing line in the 1980s and quickly made his mark, winning the Coty Award as the countrys top designer. An inherent passion and the promise of a job pushed Swanepoel to move to New York in 1989, escaping the stiflingly conservative 1970s South Africa.
Initially working as a glove maker, Swanepoel found himself studying millinery under the experienced eye of Janine Galimard, a revered hat-maker who had previously worked for Cristobal Balenciaga.
