A few weeks ago, I was invited to participate in L’art et la manière – Rencontres Internationales des Arts du Chapeau, the most prestigious international hat exhibition, held in the historic town of Chazelles-sur-Lyon, France. When the organizers reached out and asked me to share the news with fellow German hat makers, I took it as a sign. I didn’t have much time to think, and I honestly didn’t plan on submitting anything at all. But sometimes, these spontaneous moments are the most powerful. I knew immediately which hat to send.