The milliner Angela Wandelt established her atelier Gela Hüte on the site of Leipzig's Baumwollspinnerei in 2013. This was one of Europe's largest cotton spinning mills when it opened in the early 20th century. Today, it serves as an exhibition and production centre for contemporary art and culture, and it has gained a reputation far beyond the borders of Leipzig.

Angela has had a passion for hats since her youth and knows materials, shapes and the emotions a hat can evoke. In the beginning, she sewed hats and caps based on patterns.The success of her hats at numerous fairs, from Paris to New York, and her annual invitation to the Grassi fair inspired Angela to give up her job as an architect and devote herself to hat making. Her life partner, Gerd Heise, is another hat enthusiast at the studio, and he is dedicated to the traditional making of felt hats. At the studio, each hat is handcrafted by the two artisans.