Maryam Keyhani | Artist and Hat Maker

This week, in keeping with our theme of women in the arts following Art Toronto held at the end of October, our guest is Maryam Keyhani.

There are several words that can be used to describe Maryam — she is a painter, sculptor, designer, wife, mother, surrealist and hat enthusiast. She spends her time between Toronto and Berlin, and for anyone who follows her on social media, she appears to live in an absolutely enchanted world where her, her children and her friends partake in the joy of dressing up with Maryam’s creations which on an average day can include brocade, feathers, ruffles, embroidery, bows, lace, silk, outrageously puffy sleeves, balloon skirts and dresses that look like they belong to another era… and of course, the fabulous, extravagant hats which have become her signature.

These days, we can safely refer to Maryam as a hat maker. She has earned attention from media in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including recent praise for her escapades in millinery in Vogue.

Designer, journalist and past TBIF podcast guest Mosha Lundstrom recently used the following words to describe her own experience wearing one of Maryam’s creations:

“I can’t even describe how transformative your hats are to wear. Crowds part, people treat you like you are way more important than you often feel, and you, in turn, carry yourself totally differently. And so a new hat habit is formed.”

Listen to our host Eva Hartling’s conversation with Maryam for a glimpse inside the artists’s wonderful, imaginary world and to hear the story of what has inspired her to start making hats, thus allowing anyone who wishes to join in to rediscover the importance of play, as an escape and a respite from the harsh realities of life.