My name is Amy S. Pate, and my last name, ironically, means “head, or top of the head”

Does hat making run in my family? I don’t know for sure, but in ancient times surnames often related to, or were given, based on one’s trade or occupation.

I’ve always loved hats, fashion, eyewear, accessories, design and art. I’ve been an artist and designer ever since I can remember. There’s not been a day in my life I wasn’t either creating something or thinking about what I am going to create next. Hats are my passion. My hat and headwear designs are a reflection and culmination of all my experiences, travels and passions. I’ve collected and continue to curate various materials, bric-a-brac and experiences that all eventually find their way into my hat designs. I often hand make the trimmings to my designs. Whether it’s metal smithing set stones, hand tooled leather, hand making wire or cut leather bands, painting and carving, sculpting, etching metal or making custom liners, I make almost every part of my designs.

My formal education is in Interior Design, Graphic Design and Fashion Design at the Art Institutes. My travels around the world have enabled me to take classes and learn from many professional educators of millinery, hat making and art.

Making hats, fashion accessories and art is my passion, my life and my honor. I feel blessed and grateful to be able to make beautiful pieces that reflect a part of me and my life. I am even more honored when I can make a custom piece for a client that expresses a part of who they are and what they want to say to the world.

I’m so happy to also be joined now by my best friend, love and partner, Hance McCain. Hance is a lifetime artist, also educated at The Art Institutes. He is an amazing painter and creator and now he also is helping to create amazing hats for our shop. Together, we are the Appalachian Hat Company.