Be flamboyant!

I couldn’t find what I wanted in regular shops : everything was too classic or déjà vu.

So I had to do it on my own and make my own headdresses.

Little by little I figured out my retro look pleased people and I decided to share my acidulous creations with you.

Everybody deserves 15 minutes of fame.

Let me tell you how I got here: it’s quite an adventure!

When I was a kid, you can’t really say I was surrounded by hats. Headgear has been out of fashion for a long time, and apart from 1980’s children balaclavas, I never really wore a hat.

But I’m lucky enough to often go on holiday at my grandparents’. My grandmother, Marie, had the good idea to put a sewing machine into my hands when I was about 5 years old. And that’s when it all started: I was learing how to be a seamstress!

My grandma Marie in the 1950’s. She taught me how to sew from the age of 5.

Of course 5 years old is a bit young to start a business. So I lost my way for a few years : I studied drawing and history of art in high school – my passions. Logically, I became a hairdresser and stylist. Yes.

In addition to 4 years of training, I take chignon and updo classes – I learn to work with volumes, to judiciously place ornaments, to play with colours… (do you see where I’m going with this?) Bingo, I win competitions even before I graduate! I am a specialist in beauty and ceremonial updos.

I work for the Dessange haute-coiffure salons: I love sublimating and enhancing women who come to prepare for a ceremony. The taste of well-being and elegance from head to toes are required. I have been offered to participate the Meilleur Ouvrier de France competition but I have other projects in mind: studying illustration, because I really miss drawing the extravagant world I have in mind.

Charles and Paulettes, my grandparents, around 1953. My grandmother wore hats and tailor-made clothes.

I move to Belgium and graduate from the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. This allows me to open up to a whole range of fields: drawing, sculpture, colourimetry, textile and material work, photography… Later on I study archaeology and history of art at the University: inspiration is at hand!

Along with all this, I have always been interested in old fashion, whether it is historical or more recent. I often browse through photos of my grandparents in the 1940s and 50s. My passion for old movies grows thanks to the Cinematek de Bruxelles and I start to dream: I would love to look like the Hollywood stars of the 40s and 50s!

I sew my retro clothes, I do my hair in a vintage style but I can’t find the accessories I want. Vintage style is no yet trendy and anything of quality in shops is a bit prim.

And then, by chance, the encounter of the century takes place: Sandra Lacroix and hats. It was my sister who introduced us: she teaches me the traditionnal craft techniques. As a self-taught person, I experiment and train whenever I have the opportunity.

The hat. I like everything about it: I can sew it, sculpt it, draw it or give it colours! It allows me to combine all the things I like: the harmony of volumes and colours, and handmade work.

With my affection for vintage and colour schemes, I give it a retro charm with a tangy taste.

I, Sandra Lacroix, designer of hats and accessories for Oh… Really?

At the beginning, the interest is to wear my creations – to finally have the accessories that I could not find anywhere. Little by little, I see that people look at them with enthusiasm: “But where did you find this? “

Then I realise that I’m not the only one looking for the icing on the cake: “In shops, you can only find classic stuff. “

All this enthusiasm motivates me. I want to see people SHINE! It’s decided: I’m going to share my world and let others enjoy it.

This desire to offer colour and pep has enabled me to create Oh… Really? by Sandra Lacroix in order to offer unique hats and accessories of impeccable quality.

As I have an overflowing imagination that I need to express, I offer ready-to-wear creations in my online shop.

The custom-made products are made to measure because you too have creative ideas! And because I want to see you smile, I put my talents at your service to create the headpiece or accessory of your dreams.