From the Bronx to Brooklyn, where we find the protagonists of today’s story, New York is a nucleus for artistic expression; the city, America’s ‘creative economy’. Alicia Key’s little ditty about New York being a ‘concrete jungle where dreams are made of’ certainly holds true for Christopher Garbushian and Laurel St. Romain (Could anyone ask for a more perfect name! Just sounds successful, doesn’t it?) of I Love Factory fame. Or at least soon-to-be-bigger-fame. There’s been a fair amount of grass roots support for the duo who specialise in making hats for certain heads, but we say, let’s take it to the top of the Empire State! Editorials in WWD, Teen Vogue and Nylon; this is just the beginning. But when was the beginning for I Love Factory?
We all love a good story, and this one starts in The Big Apple, circa 2008. Christopher, a PR/marketing consultant, and Laurel, an Austin-expat, found themselves in conversation courtesy of some mutual friends. A few parties and a Bob Dylan concert later, and a dream was realised. Both were creative, designing and styling in college. When their idea of working together materialised they just had to make sure their needle and thread was sewing in the right direction. And it went straight to their heads! Cleverly named, more so because each hat is handmade with love by Laurel, I Love Factory are masters of costume design. It’s all rather fanciful and theatrical. Satin, taffetta, lace and delicate gold chains are perched atop, in a celebration of deco style. A mix of elegant and quirky that belies an avant appreciation for history and textiles. These hats aren’t just a fashion statement, they’re a sign of good taste, and definitely good times for the wearer.
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