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Karin Krahl-Wichmann

Karin Krahl-Wichmann Milliner
Contact
German, English
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+43 6649604851
© Lupi Spuma

Austrian millinery with a contemporary twist

  • • Karin was an apprentice with her father, and continues his legacy
  • • She has a background in fashion
  • • Every day in her workshop is different

As a child, Karin Krahl-Wichmann was already very close to her father’s hat workshop. Her first diploma was in fashion and clothing technology before starting an apprenticeship as a milliner in 2001 with her father, master hat maker Helmut Wichmann. “The decision came when I saw my father using his hat moulds as fire wood in preparing for his imminent retirement, because nobody was interested in continuing the business. This observation pained me so much that I scolded him terribly and decided to learn his profession.” In 2003, Karin took over the business Hutmanufaktur Josef Kepka & Söhne founded in 1910 in Graz, that her father had continued after his own apprenticeship there. Karin now gives century-old Austrian tradition a modern twist.

Read the full interview

Works

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  • © Lupi Spuma
  • © Lupi Spuma
  • © Lupi Spuma
  • © Lupi Spuma
Photo: © Lupi Spuma
Fini, the joy of life

This so-called Goiserer is a traditional ladies hat, made and designed by Karin Krahl-Wichmann, the owner of Kepka & Söhne. The traditional shape is combined with a modern style: red and olive traditional laces on the top of the brim and a traditional feather arrangement in the silver-coloured sleeve are assembled on a black rabbit hair felt hat.

Photo: © Lupi Spuma
Irmi, the triumphant

This Karin Krahl-Wichmann piece is a traditional ladies hat. The olive crown is made out of rabbit hair velour which feels like velvet. A black and white animal print brim made of rabbit hair Melousine resembles that of a cheetah. Six black silk cords with a cloverleaf detail on the hat’s side and the traditional feather arrangement in a silver-coloured sleeve give the hat a beautiful finish.

Photo: © Lupi Spuma
Zora

Zora is one of many options that are possible with this Karin Krahl-Wichmann modular hat design making for a convertible hat. Here, the camel-coloured rabbit hair felt crown and mud-coloured rabbit velour felt brim can be exchanged by means of a zip. For the summer, there is the option of zipping on a felt strip instead of the crown making it perfect for sunbathing.

Photo: © Lupi Spuma
Rider's hat

This hat design, part of the uniform of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, has remained unchanged for 200 years. It is currently made by Karin Krahl-Wichmann. The brim is turned up on both sides. The black rabbit hair Soleil felt is extremely stiff, the brim is set in a black wide Moire band and has a white lining inside. A narrow or wide gold braid, depending on rank insignia, a gold button create a luxurious finish.

Photo: © Lupi Spuma
Bonnet

Bodenhaube bonnets, such as this one made by Karin Krahl-Wichmann, are a traditional Austrian headgear and worn with traditional costumes. The base is made out of felt, and has a black Tafetta silk exterior decorated with golden bouillon embroidery symbolising the tree of life. Bobbin lace and a large mesh with bows at the neck are additional decorative elements and made of black Moire ribbon.

Enjoy an experience with Karin Krahl-Wichmann

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