Our Philosophy

Our philosophy at MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® couture millinery embraces quality craftsmanship, eco-conscious millinery and philanthropy.

Quality Craftsmanship

Sally’s hats are timeless. Fashioned with care to ensure quality and durability, Sally uses the finest silk and linen fabrics, the most luxurious silk and cotton threads. Large brimmed hats are fortified with buckram, stitched and sized to fit with adjustable inserts. Fascinators, hair ornaments and trims are hand sewn. Through the use of slow-stitch methods, Sally molds her hats like clay into finished works of wearable art. Characterized by sophisticated detail, Sally’s pieces can take anywhere from 15 to over 100 hours to complete.

Eco-conscious Millinery

Sally uses eco-friendly materials such as cotton and silk in all of her hats and no leather products. She shops local, uses natural dyes and trims her hats with silk organza “feathers” instead of bird feathers. However, eco-mindfulness for Sally is not an all-or-nothing philosophy. This summer she launched the “Polka Dot Hats – Through a New Lens” collection. Through this innovative portfolio shares her dedication to the idea of “imperfect sustainability” with hats created in a blend of sustainable materials alongside deadstock textiles that she rescued from landfill.

Philanthropy

Sally’s lifelong love of horses and her passion for the environment guide her philanthropy. Since 2009, she has sponsored “Hats Off to the Horses”, an online Derby hat fundraiser for the retired racehorses of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement; raising over $50,000 in a span of 14 years. A brand new collection of Cape Cod environmentally-inspired designs is planned for 2026.