Meet Laurie.
Laurie Berliner, Milliner
I was born and raised in the town where my handmade hat shop is located, San Anselmo, California. After a two decade long career as a criminal defense public defender, I refashioned my life to pursue a lifelong love of handmade clothing and hats. After my law career, I studied pattern making and vintage tailoring. On a whim, I attended a weekend hat making workshop and so began my millinery journey!
I learned the basics of millinery at the London College of Fashion under the tutelage of Chloe Scrivener. I next bought my first set of handmade wooden blocks from Guy Morse-Brown hat blocks and the rest is history! What followed was several years of trial and error, numerous craft shows and hours of online and in person specialty courses to hone my skills in all manner of straw and felt hats. I specialize in Milan braided wheat straw hat making on a vintage straw braid machine as well as crafting and dyeing silk flowers.
My designs are informed by my apparel design and tailoring skills, British millinery training, and the San Francisco Bay Area lifestyle.
I truly enjoy collaborating with my customers to create one-of-a-kind headwear that suits their style, the occasion and fits perfectly!
Meet Madge.
Madge, Milliner Assistant
Madge is my beloved Cardigan Welsh Corgi companion.
The Madge & Me
Personal Touch
Madge & Me headwear is made exclusively in the shop. Our creations are not for sale online. We welcome you to come in, explore our ready-to-wear offerings, or better yet design a bespoke hat!
Everyone is welcome at Madge & Me. Come alone or with a friend and loved one. We will introduce you to our offerings, show you the process of hat making and invite you to try on hats. With expert guidance, you will discover the hat that best suits you.
We accept walk-in and scheduled appointments. You may text, call, or email me for an appointment.
If you are traveling to my shop from a distance consider visiting the other unique shops, professional service businesses and fine restaurants in San Anselmo.
My Name is Laurie Berliner, and I make hats.
This short documentary explores the life and career of Laurie Berliner a Milliner in San Anselmo. Created and Directed by Austin Aviles.
Our Process
Custom orders require a $100, non-refundable deposit. When ordering a one-of-a-kind hat made especially for you, all sales are final, meaning custom hats cannot be returned or exchanged.
At Madge & Me we want you to love and wear your hat for many years to come. We stand behind our creations and do not charge for fit adjustments, repairs or cleaning.
Ready-to-wear (off the shelf) hats: Sales of all stock hats are final and cannot be returned. For this reason, we invite you to try the hat on and see how you look in it at all angles both inside and in the natural light in front of the shop. Consider taking a selfie and have the hat set it aside for a day while you consider the purchase. Of course, inspect it thoroughly before you leave the store so that any final touches can be made.
Our Location
The Atelier
Madge & Me Hats is a 350 s.f. retail workshop located in the historic Cheda Building, 506 San Anselmo Avenue, in downtown San Anselmo, California. The Cheda building is conveniently located directly across from Town Hall. There is plenty of 2 hour parking on San Anselmo Avenue, 4 hour parking on the perpendicular side streets, and paid lots are 1 block away in each direction. A bike stand is conveniently placed in front of my shop!
Our “atelier” is nestled under a gold lettered awning and hanging handmade hat trade sign. Walk past the shop window and just you might see a straw hat in progress on a 1914 Bulasky straw braid machine!
Address
506 San Anselmo Avenue
San Anselmo, California 94960
(415) 497-5244
Business Hours
Tuesday - Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday & Saturday 11am - 5pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
Custom orders require a $100, non-refundable deposit. When ordering a one-of-a-kind hat made especially for you, all sales are final, meaning custom hats cannot be returned or exchanged. Any changes to the original order are required to be made in person and there may incur an additional fee. Madge & Me Hats wants you to love and wear your hat for many years to come, therefore we do not charge for fit adjustments, repairs or cleaning of our hats.
Ready-to-wear (off the shelf) hats: Sales of all stock hats are final and cannot be returned. For this reason, we invite you to try the hat on and see how you look in it at all angles both inside and in the natural light in front of the shop. Consider taking a selfie and have the hat set it aside for a day while you consider the purchase.