Hats Off To Simon and Mary For AW14

SIMON AND MARY MILLINERY 

“A hat is a way of life”

  A hat in old times represented a person’s status

In today’s culture it signifies your style

Simon and Mary is a Johannesburg-based millinery brand that’s set to launch this year.  The result of a family history that spans two continents, seventy years and four generations.

A Tale About Love and the Legacy of Hats 

Who are Simon and Mary?

Simon and Mary are Dean Pozniak’s beloved grandparents. Dean is the youngest member of this millinery lineage and is now the driving force behind the Simon and Mary brand.  Simon, Dean’s grandfather was the original milliner and his grandmother Leah was affectionately nicknamed Mary after Dean had read the novel War and Peace written by Tolstoy.

The fact that they are making hats in the year 2014 on the same premises, with the same machinery and with the same classic flair that Simon did, is in itself the biggest tribute to the original milliner, Simon Pozniak.

Simon and Mary has a 70-year heritage - established in 1935

Today Simon and Mary remains a family business and is made up of Julian (Dean’s father), Alfred Manyoni (Simon’s right hand man), the factory and its staff compliment. The factory stands today as it did over half a century ago and is the essential element that pumps steam through the brand that is Simon and Mary.

The hat roots were first planted in South Africa when Mordechai Pozniak (Simon’s father) brought his cap factory from Poland to Johannesburg.  Simon Pozniak eventually took the leading role in the company and grew it into one of Africa’s most renowned wool felt hat manufacturing plants.  In 1973, Simon’s youngest son, Julian, eagerly entered the family business with Robert his oldest son joining in 1988.
In 2008 Dean as the fourth generation Pozniak, entered the business and heads the brand & factory with the aim of continuing the legacy created by Simon.

traditions of a grandfather’s craft and legacy merged with contemporary styles and design 
The machinery purchased from Italy in the 60’s is still in working order, blocks used for decades are all still functional and relevant in today’s fashion world. Old machinery, with a modern day twist to the finishes of the hats is a winning formulae. The Traditional Range is made up of actual styles that Simon himself produced and with the introduction of the RAW and Safari ranges being the contemporary add-on. Dean’s mentor is Alfred Manyoni. Alfred is a real gem having been at the factory for over sixty years longer then the machinery, he knows everything about producing a hat! With the combined experience of Alfred and Julian who has been at the factory for 40 years, Dean has had the best craft training in millinery that he describes as a “true honour”.


Simon and Mary was invited to showcase at Bread and Butter in Berlin in january 2014

Bread and Butter Berlin was an extraordinary platform to launch Simon and Mary due to its credibility as a fashion showcase. The brand was viewed by distributors and retailers worldwide. The brand is driven by the motto “Made in Johannesburg”.

where are people able to get their hands on a Simon and Mary creation? 

The brand will officially launch in April this year. Keep an eye on social media platforms and google for updates and availability. I have a feeling Simon and Mary hats will be in demand big time!