Ellen Christine Millinery

10/19/09

My hats off to you!

by monica behan at Citysearch

I have walked by Ellen Christine's shop for years when I have come into NY from LA. I would say to myself " One day I am going to buy one of those hats! " Well just last month I did. (why the hell did I wait so long!) I bought a lovely creme cloche with 3 diamond shaped vintage swarovski crystals ascending on an angle along the side. I have been stopped by people everywhere wearing this hat from 13 year olds to more seasoned lady's (if you will :) Where diid you get that hat? I love your hat! I love your look! A hat alone can simply create a "look" for any outfit. Its the decoration on the cake and you are the cake :) My experience with Ellen in picking out just the right hat for me was such a part of the charm of it all. Having the designer onsight with all her knowledge of fashion and its history is a treasure! I am a singer/songwriter and performer who loves fashion, especially vintage. Ellen has married the classic styles from the past, that should never be left behind, with the contemporary styles that are contextual with todays culture. I have only just begun to build my collection of hats and that's the shop!!!

• Pros: the most beautiful hats by the most stylish woman

07/14/09

Your Hat Awaits You

by SunnyMTripon at Citysearch

As far back as I can remember, I was always “the girl in the hat” or “the lady in the hat” and I guess pretty soon I’ll be “that old lady in the hat”. It must have started out when I wore them to keep my too-curly hair somewhat in control and then it just became a habit (obsession, signature style, constant need, etc, etc, etc—I probably have a bald spot on my head that I’ve never seen…). So why wouldn’t I swoon with delight upon walking into Ellen Christine Millinery and be in need of CPR to be revived? This designer of extraordinary hats can change the fashion world through hats alone.

What’s your hat-wearing pleasure? Formal? Business? Casual? There’s a hat for every occasion, you know. Ellen’s cocktail hats can make an evening-look unforgettable. Her straws and felts can ratchet-up a business or day-look, and the same are stellar for casual wear. REALLY NOW, WHO WANTS TO LOOK LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE???? Everyday fashion can get so boring. A creative dresser who thinks outside-the-box would be able to work any hat into a memorable look!

Ellen Christine has been in Chelsea for over 14 years. (WHAT??!!) In this city, that is a feat in itself. This speaks volumes in regard to her passion, hard work and unforgettable designs.

Ellen designs her versions of the basic fedora, cloche, beret, etc., but she doesn’t just stop there. A visit to her elegantly-turned-out shop on 18th and 8th will also yield many designs that are exclusively hers. True hat-lovers will weep with delight (…or swoon, like I did…).

Ellen also offers exquisitely-restored clothing from the 20’s and 30’s, by appointment only. Highly recommended for those who just do not want to look like everyone else (can you tell I’m not a fan of looking like everyone else?). I can’t even count how many pieces of vintage clothing I own that came from her shop.

I have at LEAST three Ellen Christine hats that I will always treasure as favorites and it’ll never be enough. I am dreaming of an occasion where I have an excuse to get one of her top hats covered in tulle with the trailing veils!

• Pros: Too many to list
• Cons: I hate living so far away

06/09/09

sheer magic

by jennifer920 at Citysearch

Walking into Ellen Christine's boutique is like walking into dreamland.... Yes I love hats, and these hats are most definitely in a league of their own. Gorgeous, unique, bold and daring... classic, elegant and chic. Simply stunning - all of them. And so is Ellen! She is the most charming, lovely salesperson I've come into contact with in any boutique setting, and I've been living in New York City for 10 years now. The first day I was there, I did not buy a hat at all and she was gracious enough to let me try on every hat in the store - I was in heaven and she seemed to enjoy herself as much as I did! What's more, she even stitched a ribbon on my own hat that day that was falling loose - as a kind gesture. I went back a few months later and made a purchase and she was the same delightful woman... she was creating things as we spoke, ideas popping into her head and mine... different ribbons were tried on various hats, silk flowers placed on others... until a perfect creation emerged. Go and allow your imagination and hers to make friends and create something beautiful together... you will not be sorry!

• Pros: Exquisite, daring designs; lovely, personal 1:1 interaction

10/23/08

New York treasure, stylists to the stylists, best fashion advice in the city....

by klavaklava at Citysearch

Ellen Christine is a New York treasure. First, about her hats. Her vintage collection is unmatched (just call ahead, even with the vaguest requests like "I like 30s secretary! And cocktail!" so she can dig stuff out of her archive for your visit, which will be the dress-up session of your dreams!). Her in-store handmade hats are a revelation be they Belle Epoque-inspired ginormous feathery sculptures or adorable Surrealistic confections that even the most hat shy lady will don with glee. She knows so much about fashion history. SHe knows how clothes should really drape and how hats can frame a face. Ellen Christine gives the best fashion and styling advice in the city. Professional stylists rely on her knowledge and chic all the time--so why not you?

• Pros: incredible service
• Cons: helps to call ahead for appointment

09/19/08

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

by jamianapuffington at Citysearch

?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

09/01/08

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

by RosemaryPonzo at Citysearch

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!

08/29/08

HERE'S LOOKIN' AT YOU KID

by AntoinetteSilicato1 at Citysearch

In 1942, Dooley Wilson sang his smokey rendition of "As time Goes By" in the film "Casablanca" starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in which to this day both song and film remain American classics. Think of the golden age of glamour and romance and think of the fashion dynamo Ellen Colon Lugo of Ellen Christine Millinery. Her amorousness of fashion and years of study and a life time of practice has given her rightful claim to the title "expert" in her field.

In Ellen's newly remodeled boutique your senses will immediately be aroused and your visual imagination will to go wild. The classical music in the background makes for a perfect backcloth as you browse for that special hat. Expect a fashion history learning experience to go along with your purchase that will and should be treasured as an heir loom for generations to come.

SHOCKING: that someone would find time in their lives to be so mean spirited and boring as to publicly intent to slander and defame another who has given of themselves. The two unworthy reviews read as spoiled brats lashing out for not getting their way. I have had Ellen work on projects with me for over 25 years and her professionalism and personalism has always been for the best of her customers.

• Pros: Fashion at its best
• Cons: Not having enough hats

06/25/08

happy wedding day

by mrsvincent at Citysearch

because i am not a regular size, i had given up on finding something really special for my wedding. a friend referred me to this shop and i was able to find a magnificent vintage 20's dress that the proprietor altered to fit. a custom made coordinating headpiece made a perfect ensemble and i know that i was much more confident on my special day.

06/21/08

dr. jekyll...mr. hyde

by kimmi123 at Citysearch

great, eager service, as long as you are spending money...but beware, if you have a problem, the eager owner turns a different color, does not honor promises (for example, will tell you it is OK to bring back an item you are dissatisfied with, then, when you do, you get screamed at (in front of other customers!), and are told you took too long to come back (claiming you "disappeared"), and you are stuck with item. on top of this, you are sent nasty emails from the owner, telling you how to behave in her store, and that rather than resolving the fact that she has lost a customer with her attitude, says she is "giving up" trying to solve the issue. also, be willing to wait MONTHS for your hat to be finished- and you will NEVER hear from the store... you have to keep on her back.

pros: nice hats. cons: nasty service, long delays in getting your hat.

06/17/08

BEAUTIFUL

by Crythy5 at Citysearch

I spotted Ellen Christine's shop on Citysearch when looking for vintage clothing and hats. I visited the shop soon after and was immediately welcomed by Ellen. She makes you feel at home and her knowledge of her industry is very apparent. The hats were beautiful and if you don't see what you like she can make it for you. Ellen Christine Millinery is certainly a 1 of a kind shop not to be missed.

• Pros: Ellen, The Shop
• Cons: None