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The Top Hat: Behida Dolić, milliner

Photo by Alex Farnum, Photo Assistants: Sonya Yruel and Carmel Cottingham

For Behida Dolić, it’s all about the ’20s cloche. The Bosnia-born milliner spends her workweek hand-draping elegant creations for Bay Area women who want a throwback to vintage elegance. While studying fine art in Italy, Dolić fell for 20th-century American fashion, moved to the U.S. and finished her degree at the San Francisco Art Institute. Now a Berkeley resident, Dolić sees the hat as wearable sculpture—the accessory that adds instant class and confidence to any woman’s ensemble. For her, it’s all about mixing old-fashioned refinement and modern simplicity. We’ll vouch for it: Simply put on one of Dolić’s hats, and voilà! You’re instantly a lady.

What are some timeless pieces for every woman?
A simple cloche hat, a cream silk blouse and an Audrey Hepburn-style black dress.

Your philosophy for dressing?
If you don’t know what to wear, pick out the simplest dress you have and flavor it with a nice cardigan or silk scarf.

What’s your best-kept SF shopping secret?
Accident & Artifact on Valencia Street—they have beautiful well-worn antiques and an abundance of unique objects.

I bought one of Behida's hats from her Etsy store a few months ago and wore it to a party this weekend and felt like the bell of the ball. Not only is it a beautiful work of art, but it is also expertly made. I didn't really appreciate the lost art of hand-made hats until I bought hers. It's very cool to come across her profile on the 7x7 website.

Very rarely will you find someone in life who's mystique and beauty is reflected in both what they create with their hands and their ability to talk about it with other people. Behida Dolic is a rare talent. To know her is to travel back in time and to commune with history. Her work is beautiful and her standards are superb.

good job behida were so proud of you! :D

I have seen Behida's hats in person and each one is a totally unique work of art! Like a handcrafted sculpture for your head.

Great photo!