In the world of film, it’s easy to get lost in the spectacle of CGI and A-list actors. But sometimes, it’s the small details that truly make a movie magical. Enter Harvy Santos, a Filipino milliner who designed some of the iconic hats seen in the recent Wicked movie adaptation.
Santos’s journey to Oz was anything but ordinary. “I originally came from the Philippines,” he shares. “My fascination for costumes started when I was six.” He began his career as a ballet dancer with the Hong Kong Ballet, using his earnings to fuel his passion for costume design. “All of the money that I got from dancing, every payday I would buy myself books on garment construction and costume design.”
This dedication led him to study millinery at Kensington and Chelsea colleges in the UK. Now, his award-winning creations have graced the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and even the big screen.
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For Wicked, Santos embraced the challenge of creating hats that embody the characters’ strength and individuality. “Millinery is like sculpture,” he explains. “We started playing with materials, experimenting with shapes. It’s still fascinating, it’s still challenging, and I quite like those challenges because I get to be inventive and creative with it.”
But beyond the technical skills, Santos finds immense satisfaction in contributing to such a beloved story. “Every day, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished,” he says. “Knowing that you’re contributing to an epic film — that’s very exhilarating.”
So next time you’re watching Wicked, take a moment to appreciate the artistry behind Elphaba’s iconic witch’s hat. It’s a testament to the talent and dedication of Harvy Santos, a Filipino milliner who’s making his mark on the world, one hat at a time.
