March 11, 2020 · Stories

BSVII: Unique Hats with a Story to Tell

Every hat that Nadia Valavanis of BSVII creates comes with a story. Your story. Made with love and inspiration, these bespoke hats are a creative symbol of the purpose and meaning that resides in your inner self.

Name: Constantina || AKA: Nadia || Often found: In my studio || Listening to: Blues || Whilst sipping: Coffee or whiskey || Passionately discussing: My next project or life goals || And working on: HATS!

Custom hat by Nadia from BSVII

"A hat is a flag, a shield, a bit of armor, and the badge of femininity. A hat is the difference between wearing clothes and wearing a costume; it's the difference between being dressed and being dressed up; it's the difference between looking adequate and looking your best. A hat is to be stylish in, to glow under, to flirt beneath, to make all others seem jealous over, and to make all men feel masculine about. A piece of magic is a hat."
- Martha Sliter

There’s something captivating about a good hat. With the brim pulled down to shade your eyes and boldly display its distinctly unique character, the right hat will tell a story that makes people stop and listen.

BSVII (pronounced BS-seven) is a custom hat-making studio, and Nadia Valavanis is the woman behind the hats. Originally from Greece, Nadia always loved the idea of a good story. Whether it was in the fairytales she fell in love with or the designs she created from a young age, this young artist has always wanted to add beauty to the world. After honing her craft as a fashion designer and hatter, she moved to Australia where she now hand-crafts custom hats in the bright and airy studio that she shares with artisan shoemaker Atelier Stefani in Sydney, Australia.

For Nadia, hats are not just an accessory. They are an extension of your personality, an artistic representation of your hopes, your dreams and your passions. She believes that we all need meaning in our lives, and so every one of her creations is stitched with her bare hands, and suffused with significance that turns each one into a talisman of power and meaning.

A true artisan, Nadia sews every stitch herself, foregoing the use of a sewing machine to be closer to her creations. However, the process begins long before she picks up a needle and thread. From the very first meeting, she draws a story from her customer, asking them what they want the hat to represent. It’s a long process, but a magical one which can be seen in the linings of her hats, the quotes engraved on the sweatbands, and the handmade book and video that come with each of her creations.

Walking through Nadia’s creative space, it’s easy to get a sense of her quiet yet vibrant creativity. Papers filled with whimsical drawings and hidden secrets lie scattered across her desk. On one sheet, you may see a woman diving into the light of the moon. On another, a golden radio lies hidden amongst the sunflowers. On yet another, a snake entwines around roses while a woman hides in flowers that transform into butterflies.

Every hat that Nadia creates comes with a story. Your story. Made with love and inspiration, these bespoke hats are a creative symbol of the purpose and meaning that resides in your inner self. And, through a collaborative artistic process, Nadia creates a work of art that lets you stand tall and walk through life with pride, strength, and a kickass style.

BSVII Custom Hat