From Gun Hill Road in the Bronx to the Kentucky Derby, you can always wear one of Cejunel’s hats and create a fashion furor. Mrs. Paul Moore boasted that her husband had a hat custom made for her trip to this week’s Kentucky Derby. For her, it was a “Pretty Woman” moment. Of course, everyone wanted to know the name of the designer: C. J. Lewis. “I can design and create a hat from scratch for you to wear any place in about three hours,” mused Lewis. “Now is not the time to dictate what hat styles are in or out of fashion. What’s important is that you wear the hat and not have the hat wear you.”
While growing up in Jamaica, West Indies, Lewis recalled creating and wearing her first hat. That was when she realized that she had a gift. Self-taught, she has been a milliner for 36 years and currently works out of her present location, 1439 E. Gun Hill Road, Bronx, N.Y., making hats for all ages and all styles.
As soon as you walk into the shop, Lewis will look at you and know your head size and hat style. If you have a round face, you should wear a square-shaped hat. Wide brims and high crowns (as high as 15 inches) are in fashion. Most of her customers prefer one-of-a kind chapeaus. They never want to see their hat on another person. Their hats are usually accented with intricate decorations such as flowers, feathers, beading, ribbon, braids and embroidery. Specializing in custom designs, Cejunel’s handmade hats are designed in various fabrics—straw, felt, ribbon and more. If you see a style in a magazine that you like, just bring it to the shop, and they will create it
for you on the spot.
It’s Mother’s Day, and there’s no time like the present to style a fabulous hat. The folks working at Cejunel’s Hats and Accessories offer professional service. Prices are reasonable. Just call for an appointment at 646-207-4326 or 718-652-3144. You can also email cejunelmillinery@gmail.com.
Happy Mother’s Day!