Millinery is a huge part of racing fashion so we like to keep tabs on our Milliner’s around the world. One milliner from Chicago, IL has made her stamp in only the last couple of years by launching her headware business, appearing on BravoTV’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and now building a relationship with the online marketplace Zappos.com.
Tonya Gross officially launched her millinery business in 2007. Prior to taking the artistic leap fully, Tonya went to school for business management and began working in the ‘financial services’ world. After ten years working in hedge funds, Tonya was laid off, which was more of a kick-off to start her new life.
Growing up, Tonya has always been interested in making things with her hands. She began sewing as a little girl, taught by her mother. Loving fedoras, she became interested in the art of hat-making as a teenager but had no idea how to even begin sculpting to reach that finished product. Instead, she subsidized her finances in school by making jewelry and accessories.
“From Hedge-Fund to Head-wear,” literally, Tonya dove head first into her artistic side after she was laid off and attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Learning the logistics of sculpting, sewing, and decorating a one-of-a-kind hat she began her ‘hobby’ business juggling other jobs to supplement her new venture. “I love what headwear does for both men and women,”…”Nowadays it takes a little bit of bravery”[ to wear hats]…[so right now,] “we just need to get hats on heads!”
Over the past 6 years, Tonya has had some wonderful business experiences. As most milliner’s dream of, she wanted to be involved with the Kentucky Derby and instead of just selling some “Derby Hats,” Tonya was reached out to by Julia Comer of Flo the team at 21C Museum Hotel in Louisville, KY to display her hats in the museum. Next she got involved in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week by designing a hat collection for an evening gown line by Pamella Roland. From there, she was asked to dress the ladies of the Real Housewives of New Jersey for their Garden Party Wedding (stay tuned for her take on this experience!) which then also brought her to the team at Zappos.com.
Zappos.com has created an Emerging Designers Program which come March 2013, will showcase a collection by Tonya Gross Millinery. The collection will consist of 5 to 10 pieces for Spring/Summer. All pieces will be hand finished and couture with a few one-off’s and limited additions included. “Zappos.com is an amazing organization,”…it’s been “unlike any experience a designer goes through to put their product in front of buyers.”
Tonya’s dream is to head toward bringing hat manufacturing to the Midwest. Adding more jobs in the fashion industry as well as increasing the awareness of millinery throughout the USA and the world. With Zappos.com, she is most excited to “make people aware of what wonderful quality” these handmade pieces really are.
In order to get her to realize her dream, Tonya has begun a profile at kickstarter.com. She is looking to raise $11,000 to get her collection off and running before Friday January 11th, 2013. She has some wonderful Thank You Prizes for your help which includes the hat design featured on Teresa Giudice from the Real Housewives of New Jersey and more. 