The Milliner

If you’re new here — hello. I’m Dana.

I’m the milliner and founder behind Saltwater Sage Hat Company, a luxury hat studio nestled in an old schoolhouse in the woods of Lyman, Maine. I share this space—known as oUTSKIRT Studios—with a community of fellow artists, where the creative energy and educational spirit help set the tone for everything I make.

I make hats by hand from natural materials, blending traditional millinery tools with modern techniques to shape ethical rabbit, beaver, nutria, and toquilla palm. Every hat takes hours of meticulous hand-blocking, steaming, and detailing—a slow, intentional process that leaves no room for rush or mass production.

I came to this work because I simply love hats, and I love the collaborative journey of working one-on-one to create a piece that feels like a natural extension of who you are. More than just a studio, Hattie’s Atelier is a place of gathering and learning. Here, you will find custom commissions tailored to your exact contours, intimate Palm Leaf Socials for small groups, immersive two-day workshops where you can learn the craft from the ground up, and restorative upcycling for pieces you already love.

The hat has always been about identity. Wearing something made specifically for you, designed to carry the quiet confidence of a crown — that is what this is.

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