Sandra Suber, owner of Ianodell’s Hat Shop.  Photo: Kimberly Hunter.

By Kimberly Hunter

Spring is just around the corner, and Easter is at our backdoor. What will you wear for Easter service? Have you found the perfect dress? Will you wear your favorite suit? Or will you search high and low for the perfect new item to add to your already stunning outfit hanging in the closet?

The clothing we choose tells a visual story about our travels, socioeconomic status, whereabouts, and even our culture. Our garments are like a poetess who carefully drapes her prose over an audience of critics and fans. She carries much influence but does not receive enough applause. So she returns day after day to earn the audience’s praise.

I recently discovered what some would say is the most poetic expression of adornment, the high-fashion hat. I must offer a word of caution to all those reading this article: if you have not yet been baptized into this world, you may want to run before your immersion into this amazing expression of beauty.

Sandra Suber, owner of Ianodell’s Hat Shop in Mills River, says, “Hats are the finishing touch on a masterpiece.” As I walk around Ianodell’s I suddenly feel like I am nine years old again, shopping with my mother in her favorite department store for the perfect shoes and handbag to match the suit she is about to buy. The shapes, colors, rhinestones, feathers and accents on each hat are so different, I want to touch and try each and every one of them. (Note: shopping addiction recovery rule 101 says to take deep breaths and touch nothing). Short of running out of this shop of indulgence, I take a few deep breaths and decide to stay and talk to The Queen of Hats.

Ianodell’s Hat Shop opened in April 1995. For the first few years Mrs. Suber sold only hats. “I sent out flyers to churches in Arden, Asheville, and Hendersonville before I opened the doors to my store,” says Mrs. Suber. “That first day, I sold more than 80 hats.”

A few years later, the store added high-end suits. Mrs. Suber walks over to one of her suit racks and pulls out a matching suit, hat, and handbag for me to take a look at. If she only knew how my blood was racing as I wondered which credit card I could use to buy this outfit — I would look like a cross between Diana Ross in Mahogany and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady.

When I asked about her busiest season for selling hats, she thought for a few moments before saying, “They are close, but I would have to say Mother’s Day.” That does not mean that you should give a hat as a gift. Mrs. Suber says, “Hats are a personal choice. I don’t put a lady in a hat that does not wear hats.”

What a novel idea! Sell the right merchandise to the right customers and have happy clients for life. Why don’t more people think of this approach?

Mrs. Suber is adamant about never carrying two hats that are alike, and she is generous enough to let me in on a little secret to wearing hats. I would tell you, but that would spoil this urban sonnet. Instead, I will return to my audience again and again, adorning myself in poetic fashion for your criticism or praise.
Ianodell’s is open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday through Friday by appointment. Contact Sandra Suber for appointments only at (828) 687-9631.