Ellen Christine Millinery

255 W 18th St
New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 242-2457

13 Reviews | Write a Review

Cross Street:: Between 7th and 8th Avenue

Directions:: 1, 9 at 18th St

Hours:: Tue-Wed, Fri-Sat 11am-7pm, Thu 11am-6pm, Sun 1pm-6pm

Message from Ellen Christine Millinery

"Like shopping in the vault of the Costume Institute"-Aimee Cho, Vogue

Custom Millinery
Bridal
Vintage Clothing

The recently expanded Chelsea boutique, conceived by Patrick Lallemand of Design and Build, invites the shopper into a world of both fanciful and practical millinery. The lighting and well placed mirrors allow for a comfortable shopping experience. And Ellen Christine knows which hat will suit.

These are hats from the pages of Vogue, W and publications worldwide. They are seen on runways, and on the heads of the famous and fashionable. In the shop, fedoras, cloches, headpieces, berets, wide brims, stingy brims provide a changing mix of style and shape. An appointment for bridal or wardrobe will open the doors to the vintage vault.

As well as custom design for millinery, Ellen Christine offers restoration and tailoring services.

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Editorial Review for Ellen Christine Millinery – by Rebecca Braverman

The Scene
Thirty years in the antique clothing world mean Ellen Christine--the "Coco Chanel of downtown," as her customers call her--has stories to tell. Stop in and ask how she got started, and if you're lucky, you'll hear about her costuming background, a stint making clothing for funk bands, her apprenticeship with an Italian tailor or her millinery education. Costume designers from movies frequently call her for her clothing as well as her vast knowledge.

The Goods
Ellen started designing hats to put herself through grad school, and her new creations draw on past styles and sometimes materials--she loves the Belle Epoque. Expect feathers, height and fanciful details. Every nook of the store has something else to love: a fragile tunic from the '20s, antique hats from the 1900s up to the '50s and '60s for both men and women, sweet hatpins and sharp '40s suits.

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.

Insider Tips

Know Before You Go

If you're looking for something specific, she probably has it. Just give her time to dig through her vast collection (there's more here than could possibly fit in the store). Custom work is also available.

User Reviews for Ellen Christine Millinery

Fact or Fiction - Every Woman Need A Hat - (Many Hats)

09/19/2008 Posted by jamianapuffington

“Eighteenth and Eight Avenue,” Valia told the driver getting back into the taxi after leaving the cd in the mailbox. “So close to home?” Greta asked. “Dah!” The taxi pulled up down the block from Ellen Christine’s Millinery shop. “Come,” Valia spoke in a perfect imitation of Garbo. “Be gentle,” Greta sighed. Valia took her hand and led her into the boutique, where they were greeted by the owner/designer. The brightly lit room was awash with gorgeous hats, a hat lover’s paradise, especially a woman’s hat lover. Whether you are a walking, talking, breating human being, or a fictional character in a novel like Valia and Greta above, if you are lucky enough to find Ellen Christine's shop, you are going to fall in love with it and her. I am going to perfectly honest with you, I have never met Ellen in person. I found her purely by chance searching for a Garbo Fedora one Saturday Morning while working on a novel. I loved what I saw on her site and decided to give her a call to ask permission to use her shop in the novel I was writing, to which she graciously agreed. One thing led to another and in short order, I was the proud owner of my own Garbo Fedora, custom tailored to fit my rather large cranium perfectly I might add. She currently has a Custom Cloche in the works for me, which has me a tad excited, but what really excites me is the prospect of my first visit to her gorgeous well stocked boutique. Every woman needs a hat, no, LOTS OF HATS, and Ellen's Boutique full of her own designs is sure to put you in a state of Hat Nirvana. Oh yes, to date, I have had six offers from others to buy the Garbova Fedora Ellen made for me. Ellen, when i finally make it to the Big Apple to pay you a visit, I promise I will NOT leave all the credit cards at home (teehee). Stay beautiful Jamie

When you enter Ellen Christine's Shop its like Christmas morning, an array of the most beautiful hats awaiting you.

09/01/2008 Posted by RosemaryPonzo

Ellen Christine is one of the most creative and innovative hat designers of our time. She mixes old with new and something magical happens. She is of the "Old Guard" yet she is open to jump into anything you may suggest while working with her on a custom hat.. In addition she collaborates with her clients and it's always a thrill to see the outcome! She lives in the highest octave of creativity, and I am so honored to wear her designs!

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