Milli Starr

Couture hats and headpieces created from the finest handwoven straws and fur felts.

Milli Starr is known for exquisite craftsmanship and a vintage-inspired elegance that complements a modern wardrobe.

10/12/2026

I’ve been busy working on an exciting project for the Milliners Guild and before all those details are announced, I thought it would be fun to share some hats that I’ve made for past Guild projects.

I really enjoy a themed challenge as it pushes my creativity and allows me to explore new shapes and techniques ~ while also frequently diving into my personal stash of extra-special vintage materials and trims!

“Power of Pink” 2025
Magenta velour felt oversized fedora with grosgrain ribbon trim. This one was not included in the window display because I didn’t finish it in time😢 but it did find the perfect person upon its debut! This style can be made to order in several colors!

“Pulp Fashion” 2025
Bicorne of bleached toyo straw with linen-hued grosgrain trims. Adhered to the grosgrain bows are paper labels saved from vintage feather trims; encased in a gossamer overlay of silk tulle. NFS

“Film to Fashion” 2024
Black vintage and modern laces over a tulle-wrapped wire frame. Inspired by Greta Garbo’s iconic high crowned hat in “Ninotchka” (1939)

“The Rose of Versailles: Remembering Marie-Jeanne Bertin” 2023
Tricorne inspired fascinator in muted floral damask with peacock flue feather brim edge. Velvet underside is accented with a Victorian “trinity” brooch of paste rhinestones.

“The Last Straw: Smashing the Fashion Rules, 1922-2022”
One of my all time favorite creations!🧵🪡
A Crazy Quilt boater hat of parasisal straw scraps, complete with silk floss embroidery. ooak/sold

“Hats: Humor & High Style” 2021
Bes-Ben inspired raffia pillbox hat with brass scorpions, fringed bow and Bakelite buckle. NFS

08/09/2026

I always aim to clear my order board before going on vacation and this year, I completed 6 hats before leaving for Amsterdam. This custom commission was a favorite!💫

One-of-a-kind wide bandeau with natural straw over black silk jersey, adorned with chartreuse and black velvet flowers and matching feathers. The amazing crocheted lace straw is from a vintage hood (I have just enough left for a button or beret fascinator - let me know if this needs to be yours!)

Created for longtime client and friend iliveinmylab to wear to an afternoon wedding. Paired with dress and jacket from Trashy Diva | Vintage-Inspired Clothing, Shoes, & Accessories
Vintage jewelry from Devil’s Details Boutique
Adorable pelican wicker handbag from Wicker Darling
Thanks so much, Sara!🎩

08/02/2026

This was not on my radar when I booked my trip to London ~ but how fortuitous that the dates coincided! Bonham’s has a selection of costumes from the Outlander series on display prior to the auctions (live and online) on August 5th and 6th. There are also props, furniture, artwork, dioramas and other memorabilia.

The costumes for the characters were beautifully designed and constructed. It was such a treat to see all of the details up close! I’ll post a link to the auction in the comments. Which lot do you think will have the highest bid?!?

05/03/2026

Another lovely Derby Day spent locally! The Live Oak Bar always puts on a great party and guests embrace the opportunity to dress up and watch the big race!

I love it when a hat suits someone so perfectly that it’s immediately worn ~ and the customer walks away with a hat on their head and an empty hat box in hand. Thank you, Aileen, for being the latest Milli Starr fan!✨

Congratulations to on his Best Dressed Gent win🎩 It was wonderful to catch up with him and Candice

Looking forward to #153🏇

12/06/2025

I’m trying to make a few favorites in new color ways. This is the “Haidyn” headband in sinamay with hummingbirds. Isn’t the brass gorgeous next to the olive green?!?

Swipe to see the original design in black, as pictured on 📸 .raw

Custom color requests are always welcome. Sinamay straw comes in a wide range or I can dye to match. Always happy to drop swatches in the mail!📫

09/13/2025

There’s still time to register for my 2-day class at in McKinney, TX! I’ll be a guest instructor in Jenny’s beautiful studio on September 26 & 27, teaching “Tip Top Sinamay Crowns”

Learn how to block and build a two part crown out of a sinamay straw, a popular material for occasion millinery. It helps to know the tricks and I’m happy to share all I’ve learned in my 28 years as a milliner✨

Scroll through to see some in-process photos from students who took this class with me in Austin in August🪡

Details and sign up at
https://baywillowdesign.com/products/tip-top-sinamay-crowns

09/10/2025

More from the Paul Poiret exhibition at MAD🩷

1. The vivid color palette of the exhibition design was unique, no doubt a reflection of Poiret’s obsession with the Ballets Russes.
2. L > R Beaded silk dress 1910, Velvet dress Mélodie 1912
3. Detail of the beadwork
4. Metallic embroidered silk dress Tolède 1921, Velvet dress Spi 1922
5. Detail of the orange dress
6. Coats 1911, 1910 and 1910 (plus beaded headdress 1914)
7. Tea gown by couturier Charles Worth 1895. First Empire hussar stage costume by Jacques Doucet 1900. This example was worn by famous dancer Cléo de Mérode. Poiret worked for both Worth and Doucet early in his career.
8 - 9. Sorry ~ no dates or details on these!
10. Cape and day dress 1919, Cape and cullotte-dress Flammes 1911, Tunic dress Cairo 1907. The cullotte dress was designed for Poiret’s wife and muse Denise Boulet-Poiret.
11. Detail of Flammes. That knotted fringe!✨
12. Dress Bretonne 1919, Dress Fleurie 1912
13. Detail of embroidery attributed to Monnot Brothers.
14. Dresses 1921 and 1912, belonging to Poiret’s sister Nicole Groult, who also worked as a fashion and costume designer.
15. Detail of black dress
16. Prints by Atelier Martine. Three-leaf screen 1912-1913, fabric panel of roller printed linen canvas 1912, and child’s dress 1920 belonging to Poiret’s daughter Martine.
17. Detail of screen
18. Paul Poiret and Mariano Fortuny ~ Ensemble Bacchante 1912. Tunic, garland and sandals worn by Denise Boulet-Poiret at the Festes de Bacchus costume party. Fortuny made the printed tunic from one of his Knossos scarves.
19. Work jacket of printed linen 1920, belonging to Poiret. Print by Atelier Martine.

09/06/2025

Fashion Exhibition 5 of 6 ~ June 29
Musée des Arts Décoratifs Paris “Paul Poiret: Fashion is a Feast”
Curator: Sophie Carron de la Carrière

SO GOOD!!! The vibrancy of this exhibition and the sheer scope of it (over 550 objects) was extraordinary. The 1910s is one of my favorite decades for fashion and this had some of the very best examples on display plus art, photos and film footage. I’d go again if I could!

“Fashion is a Feast” runs through January 11, 2026

This first post is all about the Accessories🖤
1. Entrance
2. Black Silk Hat 1911, Magenta Coat 1911
3. Closer shot of hat with jeweled band and feathers
4. Black beaded headpiece 1914
5. Embroidered handbag 1910
6. Turban 1911-1913
7. Detail of Bolero that belonged to dancer Nyota Inyoka 1920s
8. Millinery Sketches
9. Louis Vuitton Suitcase 1923 & Monogrammed Travel Trunk 1911 belonging to Paul Poiret
10. Advertising Fan for Les Parfums de Rosine
11. Abbesse Dress 1920 with Wig 1914
12. Closer shot of wig
13. Parasol, Shoes & Toque Hat featuring prints by Atelier Martine
14. Embroidered Shoes, Perugia for Poiret 1924
15. Toque 1911
16. Detail. I love how the print is created by wrapping colored silk threads around a twisted cord foundation🧵

09/02/2025

Fashion Exhibition 4 of 6 ~ June 26
La Galerie Dior Paris

Similar in presentation and experience to the Dior exhibitions I saw in Brooklyn and Dallas, but absolutely worth the visit. Swoon-worthy textiles and embellishments, especially in the more recent designs of Maria Grazia Chiuri.

1. Miniatures around the grand staircase
2. Early designs, 1949 and 1950
3. Dior Red 2 pc formal, 1949
Photos 4-5 love the vintage photos of models wearing garments on display
6. John Galliano for Dior 1998, Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior 2023
7. Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior 2021
8. Detail of that incredible textile, a devoré velvet with a mille fleurs motif, hand-painted on gold lamé ground✨
9. Yves Saint Laurent for Dior 1960
10. Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior 2024
11. John Galliano for Dior 2010
12. Gown embellished with garlands of lily of the valley 1957, gown with silk flowers by House of LeMarié 1949
13. Christian Dior’s office 1946
14. Accessories in models’ dressing room
15. Live demo and stitch samples by les petites mains, the highly skilled seamstresses who work in the atelier
16. Toiles
17. 📸
18. Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior 2024 moiré faille gown (and I spy and me in the background)

09/01/2025

Azzedine Alaïa Foundation
Post 2 of 2

Photos 1-3 the time capsule of Alaïa’s atelier, untouched since his passing in 2017
4. Alaïa 2013, Alaïa 1988, Mugler 1995 ~ rope and raffia fringes!
5. Mugler 1980, Alaïa 2009
6. Mugler 1984, Alaïa 1984, Mugler 1986
7. Serenity of courtyard and cafe, bookstore is to the right. I bought “A Couturier’s Collection.”
8. My partner in fashion adventures and beyond, beautiful

Address

Austin, TX
78705

Website

http://www.millistarr.com/

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