Marie Mercié

Biography

Famed for her originality, Marie Mercié’s millinery has a chic Parisian irreverence that is entirely unique. Her strikingly feminine, witty headwear has made her a staple milliner in both her native Paris and in London, England. Her enormously varied list of clients includes Milla Jojovich, Kristen Scott Thomas, Shirley McLaine and Princess Diane of France. Marie Mercié’s fabulous creations have attracted the interest of iconic fashion houses, and she has collaborated with designers including Hermès, John Galliano, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Kenzo and Agnès B.

Born in the Forest of Fontainebleu, Marie Mercié grew up surrounded by nature and wildlife. After life as an artist and journalist, Marie Mercié started millinery on a ‘whim.’ Her rural childhood has had a strong influence on Marie Mercié’s designs and she opened her jewel of a boutique in 1987. Marie has published two books on hats, the first, ‘Voyages Autour d'un Chapeau’ in 1990 recounts her childhood, the history of millinery and the processes of hatmaking. Marie Mercié published a second book in 2005, ‘Les Chapeaux de Marie Mercié,’ which beautifully marries photographs of her creations with descriptions of her inspirations.

Combining refined sophistication and traditional hat making methods with contemporary fabrics, Marie Mercié creates ultra-desirable headwear. With styles varying from playful pillboxes to floppy, romantic straw hats and from whimsical felt hats embellished with bows and feathers to her much photographed ‘cat hat.’ Marie Mercié millinery instantly flatters the wearer and yet retains a sense of humour that will add a spark whatever the occasion.