Hey C.26 loves!
As you may know, March was a pretty exciting month for Collective 26! We were featured as 1 of the 20 emerging designers at Charleston Fashion Week. We had such an amazing time, it was an absolutely incredible experience to show our collection on such a professional platform. The CHSFW team was a dream to work with and we made so many new designer friends, totally felt like being at "fashion camp"! We're just sad it's over! But no worries, we have some pictures and videos coming in our next post!
Danielle- Aka- Bo Peep modeling the ribbed hive hat.
However, First we want to introduce Danielle Keeton of Bo Peep's Bonnets. Danielle is such an awesome person and was also our hat sponsor at Charleston Fashion Week! (Thanks Danielle!!!!) We can't stop talking about our love for these hats- they are quality made in the U.S.A., on trend, super hip and best of all they give back to an amazing cause! Meet Danielle...
When did you learn to knit and who taught you?
I’ve been surrounded by needle crafts and knitters my whole life. It’s almost as if I came out armed with knitting needles in one hand, and scissors in the other. My first real memory of knitting was sitting on my mom’s couch with a cup of earl grey and learning how to knit a simple scarf from her when I was in my early teens. As the years have passed I still call on her for instructions on how to do more intricate stitches and to double check all my original patterns.
What's your favorite thing about the process of making your hats, scarves, etc?
I love the design process. When I first get an idea for a new item I can’t wait to break out my needles and see how I can take it from thought to reality. The process of creating something out of nothing with no road map is such a thrill – I get to draw up the plans and drive it to the finish line.
How did you come up with the idea for Bo Peeps Bonnets?
I came up with Bo Peep’s Bonnets in 2012 when my Mom found out she had ovarian cancer. When she started chemotherapy in the early fall of that year I scoured the internet trying to find free head wraps and hats for her. There were great companies that gave free fabric head wraps to cancer patients, but none that provided warm, comfortable, and fashionable knit hats for free. I guess you could say I saw a need and I decided to fill it.
When you see someone you love going through something so awful you want to do everything you can to help – to make them better – to heal them. But when you’re not a doctor or nurse you feel helpless – like there is nothing that you can do. Bo Peep’s Bonnets is the best way I knew of how to help and make a very, very small difference. I saw my Mom’s face light up when she tried on a new dress I gave her during chemo – I knew my role was to make people feel a little better by what they wore during a difficult time in their lives.
My goal has always been and continues to be to provide comfortable and fashionable knit hats that make chemo patients feel beautiful, stay warm and comfortable, and give them something they can still enjoy when their chemo is over.
What are some of the greatest challenges and rewards of being an artisan and a business owner?
The biggest reward is being able to watch your art come to life, and the icing on the cake is to have other people like it as well – so much so that they will pay money for it! What a blessing!
Bo Peep busy knitting in her studio!
Being my own boss has been a wonderful blessing and learning experience. I’m a perfectionist and a workaholic. This can be both a positive asset and a challenge because I feel like I never want to stop working and making things the best they can be. I’ve had to find the balance between rest and work. My studio is in our house so I’m always able to work – sometimes I have to say to myself – “Okay Danielle, it’s 2am put the needles down!”
What do you think makes someone fashionable?
Someone who is comfortable and confident in their own style is fashionable to me. When you see someone walking down the street with their head held high and a smile on their face you can’t help but to be drawn to them and notice what they are wearing. I feel you should always wear what YOU love. There is only one you – be yourself!
Do you have a favorite quote?
Doris Day said “The success I care about is in knowing how to deal with situations, in not allowing anything in my life to get out of hand. I know that I can handle almost anything they throw at me, and that is real success.”
What trends do you see coming in for hats/knits in Fall-Winter 14?
Collective 26 girls rocking some Bo Peep's Bonnets at Charleston Fashion Week.
Hipster Hats!
I see lots of super slouchy and chunky hats coming this season. Slouchy beehives and slouchy sacking hats really excite me. I love the versatility of a slouchy hat with a long brim that can be folded up. You can wear it super slouchy shopping around town looking fabulous, but then fold it up to keep you extra warm when you’re shoveling your car out of a mountain of snow for your morning coffee run. I also think the new everyday “perfect slouch” is more of a long beanie that slouches slightly at the end opposed to the big circle berets we have seen in past seasons. I also see lots of big chunky infinity scarves with great embellishments like oversized coconut buttons and leather cuffs. Lots of light silver greys and deep charcoal greys for the coming season – Shades of Grey anyone?
What inspires you?
My inspiration for my hats comes from the 50s and 60s when knit beehives were the big trend. I love the beehives of yesteryear but I wanted to update them to be more flattering to the face and to better reflect our current times. The “beehive” used to start almost immediately after a very short brim and made the face appear wider than it actually was. By adding the long ribbed brim and putting the beehive in the back of the head with a great slouch you allow the wearers face to be showcased. When I design a hat I want it to have a trendy, hipster, downtown cool vibe, which puts the emphasis on the person inside the hat.
If you’re asking what inspires me in life I would say the desire to make a positive difference in other people’s lives inspires me to keep my business running. At the end of my days I want to be able to look back and say I tried the best I could with what I had to help others. You can’t take anything with you, but you can leave behind something great.
Click through the gallery to your right to see some more of Danielle's gorgeous creations-