Kuningunde Hat Workshop
... was the second of Katariina Guild’s studios, opened on 4 April 1994 by two artists Elvira Liiver and Liivia Leškin. The project had its beginning with the small store, “Tallinn Hats and Caps”, in the City Hall at the 1992 Walpurgis Night. As the enthusiastically created project was warmly received by the residents of Tallinn, both creators felt the need to deal in more depth with such a project. At present both artisans work in separate studios in order that the individuality of each can come to the fore.
Elvira Liiver received her BA from the University of Tartu in history and has studied textile restoration in Göteborg as well as painting, lace-making, and quilt-making at the Open University of Culture. As a student of the history of costume, Elvira knows that a head covering has been a status symbol through the ages. Kunigunde hats have been inspired by just such historic head coverings; the Tallinn history based hats are made together with Mari Sagur; they are made of natural materials and decorated with Mari’s brooches.
The inspiration for felt hats has come from the ‘20s and 30s through photographs of the stylish women of Tallinn.
Kunigunde Hatters is also pleased to share advice about hats along with inspiration. Each visitor can discover a unique hat that is distinctive to her individuality or one that is reminiscent of the history of Tallinn.
