Moji Gersh from Rana Hats believes that a well made hat starts with quality materials and this is something that should never be compromised. Having a father in the fabric business has had a crest influence on her love of different materials, their composition especially organic materials with scluptural qualities including straw, felt, fur, veiling and lace. As you can see front the featured image, Moji has used a combination of sculpted straw Sinamay contrasted with a flourish of translucent fabric and finished with a fabric flower in a complementary colour, creating excitemnt which transforms the look of the wearer. "Hats are usually worn at special events that people are excited about and I get to be part of that. Also, they transport you through time. When I make a 20’s hat I get to travel back in time and experience the sounds and images of that era." Read on to find out more about millinery life in Israel and the where Moji's hats have traveled.

How did you get into Millinery?
I couldn’t find hats that fit me properly and were comfortable to wear all day long.

How you would describe your designs.
Free flowing, I make a lot of sculpture hats and enjoy the unpredictability of it. One such hats was worn by one of the Queen Elizabeth’s guests who wore it to Windsor Castle. I also use a lot of feathers and tulle because they don’t stay put!

What is your ideal customer?
A person who knows what she wants and communicates it. Some of my best designs are the ones where we bring to life the image that is in the client’s imagination.

What inspires you?
There are many birds that visit my balcony and the color combinations that God has chosen, are the best inspiration. I also look at plants and study vintage hats.

If you could invite any milliner to tea who would it be?
I always wanted to meet Louise Green and I did. I admire her work because her hats are wearable, have a great finish in addition to being works of art. She is also very generous with her knowledge.

What is your favourite material to work with?
My father was in the fabric business and I grew up around fabrics. I like everything, but mostly organic materials that breathe, high quality vintage lace and veils, fur felt and straw. Parasisals are a bit of a challenge.

Whats your best millinery tip?
1. Re-do the hat until it is perfect no matter how long it takes
2. When a hat doesn’t sell take it apart and make something else
3. When you are stuck organize your work room
4. Buy high quality materials because there is such a thing as “wisdom of the masses,” and at the end someone will recognize and purchase a well made piece.
5. In order to get your imagination to flow ask yourself: “what kind of hat I would want to wear,” and make that.
6. Music helps creativity and touches parts of the brain that are sometimes hard to activate.

What has been the largest challenge you face in millinery?
Using stiffeners, marketing myself, ordering materials online, getting additional training, time management and not having other milliners around to discuss things with. Regarding time management I try to have manageable goals so I don’t get overwhelmed.

Famous words to live by.
1. There is something you can do that no one else can, find it and do it
2. Think less do more
3. Engage in things that make you jump out of bed in the morning
4. Try to do at least one kind deed a day in order to forget yourself and to open your heart

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