How did you get started doing hats?
Back in 88' 89, when going to the clubs in New York and here in Chicago, I always was looking for something different and unusual to wear, you know back then it was all about "Shock Value". I was inspired by an artist friend in New York who was working in plexi glass, combined with letters that I used for Merchandising certain departments at Marshall Fields, and that's how it started.

Do you just do hats?
Right now just trucker/baseball hats and neck pendants.

What kind of art did you do before the hat thing?
Art comes in so many different forms. I guess my first creative outlets were Dance, then I started freelance work as a window dresser for several exclusive boutiques on Oak Street and Michigan Avenue, which lead me working as a visual merchandiser for Marshall Field's flagship store on State Street. Then became a DJ here in Chicago, which I see as all forms of art.

Tell us about your other projects.
I'm slowly working on perfecting my plexi glass belt buckles, and working on designing my own hat. Also art to hang on walls, which includes a bunch of different types of mixed media [like old cigar boxes, vintage advertisements from the 30's 40's and 50's, paint, water colors, old buttons, metal, screws, plexi glass, rubber, and anything else I can find.]

Where can people find your hats and other products?
In Chicago you can go to Sound Gallery, Una Mea's Freak Boutique, Gramaphone Records, Gay Mart, Cupid's Treasures/Leather Sport, Pleasure Chest, Art Bazaar, SoftCore, but Hollywood Mirror would be the best place to find my most loved items at. I have a few things at Patricia Field in New York, Eds Records in Atlanta, and I'm working on a few shops in L.A. and D.C.

Your accessories have appeared on some very famous people, can you drop some names for me?
C+C Music Factory, Deep In Vogue Video, Madonna's Blonde Ambition Tour Documentary "Truth or Dare", Boy George, DJ/Producer Frankie Knuckles, Byrd Bardot, DJ/Producer Maurice Joshua, Felix Da Housecat, Gwen Stefani, and featured in the 2003 movie "Party Monster" with Seth Green and Marilyn Manson.

What other areas of design will you be looking into in the future?
Who knows! I get inspired every day! Inspiration talks to me when I least expect it!

What else would you like our readers to know?
I don't know. I guess for the first time in my life I can finally see the world in color. I can really appreciate the small things, like waking up everyday, like spending time with my friends, and I think it shows through my art work, and in my life! Oh, I forgot, check out my site www.freddiebdesigns.com