Fist of all I decided to choose my hat after a brainstorming process, writing on small pieces of paper, the places or things that make me happy. These papers were fixed on the wall where I was able to see the whole. I went on discarding those which were less pleasant and finally I decided for the Ocean as the best place for me to feel happy. I was born by the Sea and since I was a child I love being by its side and being inspired by its force, light and beauty.

After this first process, I imagined how a hat could reflect the Sea Side. As I like photography and have lots of pictures of my favorite places, I went into my files to choose the best to show. Then, as I have learnt to print pictures on fabric, I made some samples on linen and cotton. During the past seven years I lived in Portugal and I used to walk to the Minho River in its Mouth to catch the light and the beauty of this river when reaching the sea. At this point, I decided for one of the pictures which I printed on linen and would be used to build up the crown, just to show the image I talked above. The brim would represent the sand and the water where, when a child, I used to pick up beach shells of all forms and colors which was a great pleasure indeed. The blue color of the materials like the Paper Deco the hat was made and the blue organza represents the blue of the sea under the sky.

Note: Entries have been not been edited or proofread to protect the integrity of the maker's original meaning.