Thanks to the royal wedding, there hasn't been this much attention on hats since your grandmother's era — at least not in the States — but Chicago milliner Jenny Pfanenstiel was bringing back the hat society long before all eyes were on Kate Middleton. Even though the Indiana native had success in both Colorado and Chicago designing and constructing costumes for theater, film, and commercials (think Cirque du Soleil, Margaret Cho, and Amistad), she realized her true passion for hats after meeting a pro milliner and, as they say, the rest is history.

Pfanenstiel studied the craft in great detail, from blocking to buckram, and eventually launched Formé Millinery in 2007. And speaking of blocking, "I take pride in using age-old techniques of steaming and hand blocking felt and straw over antique wooden hat blocks," says Pfanenstiel. "I enjoy searching for the rarest and most unusual hat blocks that I can find. I believe this gives my hats the shape and character I am looking for." Inspired by fashion from the 1920s and '40s, this gal's dream is to bring back the era when you never left the house without a hat — and not just because bad hair days are common here in the Windy City. "My goal is to make a person feel sensational in my hats. I want them to look into the mirror and feel transformed." Along with seasonal selections, Formé Millinery creates collections for gentleman, babies, weddings, and cocktail parties.

Now, one of the hats from her wedding collection (see photo) is featured in the April 2011 edition of Vogue UK (love that Kate Middleton-like feather accent). So lesson learned: don't diminish the power of a great hat. You never know . . . you just may meet your prince charming wearing one.

Source: Formé Millinery