BUILT FOR HANDS ON AND CRAFT LOVIN' COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS
Custom Hat Workshops That *Actually* Let You Choose The Damn Thing.
BECAUSE OFF-THE-SHELF NEVER TOLD YOUR STORY
Forget cookie-cutter fashion hats and “custom” that just means picking a colour. These sessions are all about shaping a hat that fits your head, your life, and your style—hands-on, high quality, and hot off the steam pot.
📍 Held in Gibbston Valley, just 20 minutes from
Queenstown International Airport.
NOT JUST A WORKSHOP—IT'S A WHOLE EXPERIENCE
This ain't Paint-By-Numbers
This ain't just "pick a colour and call it a day."
This is you and me, one-on-one (or bring your besties), designing something that speaks louder than words.
We're talking:
- Your head measured properly—because no-one wants a hat that dances more than they do
- Your style, vibe and story dialled in
- And your hat? Hand shaped with steam, grit and soul
Whether you're after that runway-worthy fashion moment, or a hat that looks like it came straight from the arena, we'll make sure it fits your head and your identity.
Come with a Pinterest Board, or no clue—I've got you.
SLOW MOMENTS, STORNG MEMORIES, AND STUNNING HATS
Came for a hat, and left with a memory.
"What an experience, I loved it. I started this workshop with Millie with a hat in mind, had my own fabric and adornments at the ready. But through this delightful 'slow' process - and I mean slow in the way of peaceful, relaxing, returning to an old time tradition, with some of Millie's tunes playing, I ended up with a completely different hat.
This happened through Millie's guidance of showing me options eg what fabrics suited my eyes, what showed in my face when I looked really comfortable. Millie has a great eye and she really loves this process, and this comes through in the creating of an individual hat for a customer.
I LOVE my hat and I throughly recommend this experience!"
~ Jenny Stewart
1:1 Sessions
ONE-ON-ONE. JUST YOU + ME (AND A DAMN GOOD HAT)
Custom hat days just hit different
Some things are just better made together—like a hat that *actually* fits your head and your vibe. These 1:1 sessions aren’t just custom—they’re a hands-on, head-measured, sass-fuelled hat-making mission. You bring the personality, we will bring the steam, and together we’ll cook up something that’s damn near unforgettable.
So what’ll it be—lightweight straw, classic wool, or the full-on bougie beaver blend? Pick your poison below and let’s get you into a lid that turns heads, drops jaws, and tells your story without saying a word.
The All-In Straw Starter – $389
Because who said entry-level had to mean boring?
This is your no-fuss, all-style gateway into the custom hat game. Light, breathable, and pre-shaped to perfection—your straw fedora gets the full Bar M treatment without the big price tag.
It’s simple: we shape it to your head, match it to your vibe, and you strut out ready to steal the spotlight. Here’s what’s included:
– A lightweight, pre-shaped straw style fedora
– 1:1 workshop time with Millie—ideas, shaping, laughs and all
– Your choice of trims and accessories to reflect your energy
– A proper Bar M custom fit—shaped to your head, not the shelf
– Easy, breezy style that goes from brunch to beach to bold nights out
You’ll get your Bar M Fit Kit in the mail before your session, and walk out the same day with a hat that’s fresh, fitted, and so you.
Perfect for: style-conscious first-timers, statement seekers, and anyone ready to start their custom hat journey with big vibes and no stress.
THE FELTED FAVOURITE – $529
Because when you’re crafting your dream hat, you’re not just making a fashion statement—you’re making power moves and memories.
This wool-fedora session is the full hat-making experience, minus the beaver price tag. You’ll get a hat that turns heads, fits like it was born on your head, and feels so you.
Here’s what’s included:
– A wool pre-shaped fashion fedora
– 1:1 workshop time with Millie to bring your vision to life
– Your choice of trims and hat accessories
– Your hat fitted and shaped to your head with care and craft
– A creative, relaxed atmosphere in the Gibbston Valley
You’ll get your Bar M Fit Kit in the mail before your session, and your hat will be finished and ready to strut out the door the same day.
Perfect for: lovers of fashion, outfit shifters, wedding goers and anyone who knows the best things in life come with a side of cheese.
THE BOUGIE BLEND – $894
This is it. The crown jewel. The “I’m not here to play small” package.
If you want the best, you get the beaver. This 7X blend is 10% beaver and 90% wild hare—built to last, hand-shaped to stun, and fitted to your head like it was always meant to be there. It’s bold, it’s beautiful, and it’s bougie in all the right ways.
Here’s what’s included:
– A 7X rabbit & beaver fur felt hat
– Full creative session in the Gibbston Valley with Millie
– Your choice of trims, accessories, and extras
– Option to add branded initials or symbols with a custom burn
– Custom fit and shaping to your head with the Fit Kit + live adjustments on the day. We start with an open crown hat and shape it however you like from there. None of this 'pre-shaped'.
– All the luxury, none of the factory nonsense
You’ll get the Bar M Fit Kit before your session to nail the fit, and your dream hat will be ready to take home by the end of the day.
Perfect for: hat collectors, cowboy and cowgirl creatives, wedding showstoppers, fashionistas and anyone who refuses to settle for average.
Picked your poison or still have questions? Fill in the form and we’ll be in touch to lock it in. One epic hat-making session, coming right up.
2:1 Sessions
CELEBRATING LOVE, COWBOY STYLE?
It's always more fun with two
Or maybe you just want to convince your partner or your best pal to come hang out and make something cool too…If you're honeymooning, road-tripping, or just need an excuse to do something a little different together—we've got you.
Book two 1:1 workshop sessions and the second hat gets $100 off.
Yes, really. Because making something unforgettable should be shared. Whether you're fashion-forward newlyweds, hat-loving mates, or a couple of mischief-makers—this is your sign.
Fill out the form to book your session—and make sure to tick the “Bring a Plus One” deal if you’re bringing a friend, partner, or partner-in-crime.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE SOUVENIER
The hat I have been searching for
"It was such a pleasure to come over and have the hat I’ve been looking for for years made for me. Thanks Millie, so impressed with your professional and friendly manner, and how you listened and interpreted my life story into my hat. You are an artist!"
~ Nicky Catterick
The Felted Favourite Workshop
Group Sessions
FOR CELEBRATIONS THAT DESERVE BETTER THAN BRUNCH
Wearable art that is also a memory with your best pals? YES PLEASE.
Grab your besties and choose more than just a glass of bubbles and a brunch booking.
Whether you're marking a birthday, planning a girls' weekend, getting the family together, or just saying “why the hell not?” — a Bar M group session is a hands-on, high-vibe experience your people will talk about for years.
We bring the steam, the sass, and enough ribbon to make your Pinterest board cry with joy. You bring the crew, maybe a good yarn or two, and we’ll make a hat for each person that fits like a glove and tells their story.
Loud and rowdy? Quiet and creative? Both are welcome. This is your celebration—just with a side of feathers, fire, and unforgettable style.
Choose your session below. Prices are per person and include everything you need to shape your own hat from scratch, with Millie guiding you every step of the way.
The STRAW SQUAD– $319 PER PERSON, 4-10 PEOPLE
Laid-back, breathable, and built for all-day wear. This one’s ideal for sunny days, garden parties, or crew catch-ups with a little extra flair.
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Pre-shaped straw fedora hat
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Choose up to three accessories (ribbons, feathers, bands, conchos—you name it)
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Private group workshop led by Millie
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Each hat fitted + shaped specifically
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Held at the Bar M Workshop in Gibbston Valley or your venue (extra cost)
Perfect for friend reunions, family weekends, and groups that like a good yarn while they create.
THE FELT FAM – $449 PER PERSON, 4-8 PEOPLE
This one’s for the group that wants to go all in.
Wool hat, big vibes, and enough premium trims to make your old hat jealous.
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A pre-shaped wool fedora that’s ready to be transformed into a one-of-a-kind piece, shaped by Millie to fit you and only you. Not just stylish—natural, breathable, and ready to outlast trends and weather alike.
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Unlimited accessories to take your hat from “cool” to “where’d you get that?” Feathers, conchos, fabric bands, leather ties—you name it, it’s on the table (literally).
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Personal branding options like initials, symbols, or a hidden message under the brim. Because your hat shouldn’t just look good, it should say something too
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Real-time shaping and hands-on help from Millie as you design and create your masterpiece. No guesswork—just guidance, laughs, and a whole lot of magic.
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Finish and take your hat home the same day, no waiting, no shipping delays—just walk out wearing the best thing you’ve ever put on your head.
Perfect for top-teir bridal parties, creative teams, and crews who never do things halfway. This is the best of the best.
Whether you’re booking a birthday bash, a creative corporate getaway, or just keen to wrangle the gang for something way cooler than bottomless mimosas, I’m all ears.
Fill out the form to lock in your session or ask any curly questions. I’ll be in touch to help bring your group hat-making daydreams to life. Let's do this.
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WANTED, WALKED OUT WITH WHAT I NEEDED
When you've got no clue what you're after, but end up obsessed anyway!
"Cheers for today Millie! I'm wrapt with the hat. Sorry if I took a long time and not sure of what I was after as I genuinely had no idea. I love what you have done and thank you for taking the time! Many thanks."
~ Kane Walsh
The Bougie Blend Workshop
Hen's + Stag's Dos
THE LAST FLING BEFORE THE RING
Hens (or stags), hats, hot irons + your ride or dies. Let's Party!
Whether you're about to tie the knot or just love an excuse to round up the crew, these workshop sessions are the way to kick off a hen’s or stag do with style, stories, and steam.
Forget the predictable plans. At Bar M, you’ll custom-create your own cowboy hat or fashion-fedora masterpiece with expert help, bubbles (or beers) in hand, and good tunes rolling. No overused party games—just real moments, real fun, and a damn good hat to show for it.
Yes, you’ll leave with a real hat. Not a sash. Not a veil. Not a blow-up *ahhemmm* 'prop'. An actual head-turner that fits like a dream and lasts a lifetime.
Held at our Gibbston Valley workshop—or at a location of your choice if you’re keeping the party mobile (yes, we travel)—this is your chance to make memories and wearable art in one go.
The HAT PACK– $309 PER PERSON, 6-12 PEOPLE
A straw hat starter that doesn’t skimp on style.
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Pre-shaped Straw Fedora Hat - light, breathable and stylish without breaking the bank
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Custom-fit for your crew – Each guest gets a straw hat shaped to fit their head and their vibe. This isn’t some party favour—it’s a proper lid built to last.
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Style your way – Choose up to 3 trims and accessories to personalise your hat. Think fabric ribbons, ties, feather details—whatever suits your swagger.
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Party-ready energy – This session is quick, fun, and perfectly paced to kick off the day without dragging things out. Snap pics, laugh lots, and head into the night in style.
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Good times with better views – Hosted in Gibbston Valley or a venue of your choice (yes, we travel), you’ll be surrounded by mountains, music, and mates while you create.
THE NATURAL PICK– $399 PER PERSON, 4-10 PEOPLE
A full upgrade—wool fedoras, more customisation, and a deeper creative experience.
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Premium pre-shaped wool fedora – You’ll each design and walk away with a wool hat made to fit like it was born on your head—durable, versatile, and stylish for any season.
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Elevated design experience – A longer, more involved session where you’ll fine-tune your shape, brim style, and overall aesthetic with Millie’s expert help.
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4 luxe-level accessories + personal branding – Choose ribbons, feathers, or trims—then go one step further and personalise your hat with initials or custom symbols with hot iron branding.
Slower pace, better vibes. Perfect for groups who want more time to enjoy the process, chat, enjoy, and create without rushing.
THE FELT FLING – $489 PER PERSON, 4-8 PEOPLE
Top shelf. Big main character energy. This is the ultimate hat party experience.
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The bees knees of bespoke – We’re talking luxe pre-shaped wool fedoras, adapted by Millie to suit your face, style, and story. These aren’t hats—they’re wearable art.
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All the accessories, no limits – Feathers, florals, velvet ribbons, silk scarf ties, fringe, conchos, crystals… let your imagination run wild. If it fits on a hat, it’s fair game.
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Fully personalised branding – Go next level with initials, meaningful symbols, or hidden messages burned into the crown. Your story, etched in with a burn.
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Private session + full VIP treatment – Small, intimate, and totally custom. Every hat gets individual shaping, styling, and full attention
Perfect for crews who want more than just a party—you want a story, a statement, and a damn good hat to remember it by. This one’s for the bold, the stylish, and the sentimental.
Whether you’re rounding up the crew for a hens or stags do, celebrating love with a twist, or just keen to kick things off with something way cooler than matching t-shirts and shots at 10am—I’m here for it.
Fill out the form to book your hat-making session or fire through any curly questions. I’ll be in touch to help plan the most memorable start to your day. Let’s make it a party worth remembering
(and a hat you’ll never forget).
FRESH OFF THE STEAMER
Some of our hats from workshop sessions—no two are ever the same
These aren’t your average lids. Every hat here was crafted by real people, in real sessions, telling their stories one brim, crease, and trim at a time. All made in the Bar M workshop. All shaped by hand. All worn with pride.
Get inspired—or start dreaming up your own.
