Filipino Hat Maker Brings Craft to Hollywood’s ‘Wicked’

Harvy Santos, a world-renowned hat maker from the Philippines, played a key role in the highly anticipated musical film Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

As the movie’s senior milliner, Santos designed the intricate, magical hats that helped bring the fantastical world of Oz to life.

Santos started out as a ballet dancer in Hong Kong, but his love for costume design pushed him to pursue a new path.

Using his savings, he studied millinery—or hat-making—at a prestigious college in the United Kingdom.
In a behind-the-scenes feature entitled My Universal Story, Santos shared how proud he is to represent Filipino craftsmanship.

He likened millinery to sculpture, calling it a “fascinating” and “challenging” craft that fuels his creativity.

Moreover, he expressed feeling proud of his daily accomplishments, sharing that being part of an epic film like Wicked is an exhilarating experience.


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