Interview with Milliner Georgia McNab
If you follow me on Instagram, no doubt you’ve seen me rock a custom-designed hat! I sat down with the woman behind the magic, miss Georgia McNab from Off The Block and chatted about the vision behind her company, how she got into Millinery and why she loves her work so much! Read on my friends, read on!
Em: What is Off the Block?
Georgia: Off The Block is a one-of-a-kind custom hat shop located in Cambridge, Ontario. We specialize in custom-fit, custom-designed hats using fur felts and repurposed materials. We give our clients the opportunity to express who they are by designing their very own personalized custom hat.
Em: Millinery is an art you don’t hear as much about nowadays. How did your journey into millinery begin?
Georgia: It all started after I smoked a joint. I was laying on my bedroom floor petting my dog Dude. I was staring up at a collection of hats I had accumulated that were hanging as decor on my wall when I asked, “How the hell do you make a hat?”. Having a background in Fashion Design I can understand garment construction. With no evident seams on a hat, I was perplexed as to how it was constructed. Down the rabbit hole I went and learned about Millinery. My curiosity of hat making led me to take a small preliminary course in Toronto in 2018 and now, here I am.
Em: How would you describe your take on hat making and what sets your creations apart from others in your industry?
Georgia: I like to describe my take as a juxtaposition. I like to incorporate different elements into my hats to create a story. Whether it’s pyrography or painting the hat, I like to play around with different mediums and fibres in the trim that wouldn’t necessarily pair, but once mixed with other fabrics, beading, and trim, it ends up working. I think my ability to create a hat so personal sets me apart. I take pride in coming up with pyrography concepts that can truly relate to my client.
Em: Off the Block is a very unique name! How did you come up with it?
Georgia: My sister and I were sitting in a bar in Toronto (pre-launch of Off The Block). I knew I wanted to create a brand for my hats but I was stumped on a name. She asked me to ‘walk her through the hat-making process’- after describing to her the hat-blocking process, she asked me, “What happens when you take it off the block?”. I continued to explain to her the different processes when I then stopped mid-explanation, turned to her, and asked her what she had just asked me. After repeating her question, I said, “That’s it! Off The Block!”
Em: We’ve seen your work on so many different people and so many different vibes! When creating your ready-to-wear collections, how do you decide what to make? Is it difficult to create a piece that could cater to a diverse clientele?
Georgia: Honestly, I just go for it. I start with my base colour, throw on some tunes and just let the creativity flow. I want there to be zero limitations when I’m creating so I just let whichever fabric, detail, or element be a focal point of the hat and then develop around it. Sometimes it can be one colour combination of trim that is the starting point for my design and then I build around it. I just make art and hope that it finds a perfect home one day.
Em: What has one of the greatest challenges been when starting this business?
Georgia: I would say the greatest challenge so far has been creating for unique-shaped heads. It’s been such a learning experience to create for different sizes and shapes. I’m still evolving and learning, so as challenging as it’s been - yes I’ve had to stretch out a couple of hats afterward to make sure the fit is better, but without these moments, I wouldn’t be able to evolve and learn. So it’s a humbling experience, but also crucial for my growth and development as a Milliner.
Em: What are some of your top achievements or OTB moments so far that have made you think “holy crap - I’m doing this!”
Georgia: Oh man, every time I have a client and they step out my door, I’m behind that thing doing a little jig because I’m just absolutely so stoked and so ecstatic clients are entrusting me with their custom hat vision. Obviously creating for the Sheep Dogs was surreal and so fucking badass seeing them up on stage.. while in the crowd watching them perform, I kept looking at people saying, “Man whoever made those hats for them is a fucking genius!”
Em: What is one of your favourite things about owning and creating for Off the Block?
Georgia: I think my favourite thing would have to be my shop! I walk in there and immediately feel encouraged to create. I obviously love that I get to make myself a custom hat whenever I’d like- but creating in this space is just so special, and I’m very grateful.
Em: What advice would you give to other aspiring business owners and creatives looking to turn something they love into a business?
Georgia: Don’t quit your day job! Making your dreams come true costs money- so being able to support your dream is important!! Secondly, don’t be afraid of failure. Jump in with all you got, pour your heart and soul into your work, create with love and something will blossom from it. Be true to your art, and be true to yourself and you’ll be able to create something magical.
Love,
Georgia Xoxo
Follow Off The Block on Instagram or check out Georgia’s website at OffTheBlock.ca
