Pinoy pride! This Filipino designer crafted the iconic hat from ‘Wicked’

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino craftsmanship shines in Hollywood, as talented milliner Harvy Santos played a significant role in Wicked’s costume design!

Santos — whose Instagram bio says, “I make fabulous hats & headpieces” — is the artist behind the iconic hat of Elphaba Thropp (played by Cynthia Erivo). Elphaba’s pleated hat is built using intricately textured fabric with ruffles along each crease. 

In a featurette posted by Universal Pictures, the UK-based Santos said his fascination for costumes started when he was six. 

Santos used to be a ballet dancer for the Hong Kong Ballet, where he danced in all major productions for six seasons including tours in Europe, the US, and Australia. His earnings from his dance career was what he used to start educating himself on costume-making.

“All of the money that I got from dancing, every payday I would buy myself books on garment construction and costume design,” Santos shared.

Santos studied millinery at Kensington and Chelsea colleges. His award-winning creations were featured in magazines such as The Telegraph, Brides Magazine, The Financial Times, Vogue Japan, Vogue Turkey, Vogue Netherlands, Harper’s Bazaar China, Arena Homme Plus, Cosmopolitan, W Magazine, Elle and T Magazine. 

Santos has won multiple awards including The HAT Magazine’s Hat Designer of the Year in 2013. His hats are also on display in the National Museum of Scotland and have been featured in the Spielzug Welten Museum in Switzerland.  His hats are regularly featured in the Royal Ascot style guide and have been worn by famous personalities including Hebe Tien and Lady Gaga. 

Santos also had a major exhibition during the 2018 London Fashion Week at the “Eight Seasons” at Portugal’s Museu da Chapelaria which was visited by Queen Elizabeth II. 

Santos also participated in Headonism, the British Fashion Council’s initiative to celebrate milliners.

By working on Wicked, he has found millinery — a symbol of empowerment and strength — enjoyable. 

 “Millinery is like sculpture. We started playing with materials, to experiment with shapes,” Santos said, adding that challenges fuel his creativity.

“Every day, I’m part of what I have accomplished, and knowing the fact that you are contributing to an epic film, that’s very exhilarating,” Santos said. – with reports by Rowz Fajardo/Rappler.com

Rowz Fajardo is a Rappler intern studying Doctor of Dental Medicine at University of the Philippines Manila.