ONE-OF-A-KIND: Sonja Robinson and Meeka Davis, mother-daughter design team are the owners of One-Of-A-Kind Hats manufacturing their own line.
The mother-daughter team is known as the ‘Milliners to the Stars,’ with an extensive celebrity clientele
Sonja Robinson and Meeka Davis are owners of One-Of-A-Kind Hat stores as a mother-daughter design team. The boutique stores are the largest Black owned stores west of the Mississippi.
The first hat boutique opened in 1986, as a specialty boutique with ready to wear line and custom designs to order. A second boutique opened in 1994 in Fort Worth, TX., followed by a third location in 1997 in the Fox Hills Mall by daughter Meeka Davis.
Together, they have served the community for over 25 years, adorning many with their signature designs.
One-Of-A-Kind Hats is a full service boutique offering cleaning, blocking, restyling and repairs.
The mother-daughter design team manufactures their own line of hats. Meeka is known as the ‘Milliner to the Stars’ with an extensive celebrity client base.
Their hats are featured in stores across the country, and their designs are opulent, aggressively attention-grabbing and often eye-opening reinventions of classic ideas.
Their signatures over the years include intricate beading swarovski crystals, geometric shapes, striking color combinations and usage of the finest quality materials which include fur felt, velour, milan straw, silk, chantilly lace and duchesse satin.
They have earned a reputation for their all occasion hats for over 20 years.
“The store was built on word of mouth,” said Robinson.
They make sure that customer service is number one.
The stores have expanded their brand to include handbags, shoes, jewelry, scarves, gloves, eyewear, caps, hatpins, and a full line of furs and specialty knit clothing.
Over 25 years ago Sonja’s dining room was transformed into a showroom. After receiving numerous compliments for hats that she trimmed to give that unique look, she realized she had a special talent. A desire to learn more about hat making led her to enroll in Millinery School.
One-Of-A-Kind Hats have been featured in “Kingdom Come,” and “Big Momma’s House.” Awards include the Pauline Award-Business Woman of the Year, AT&T Business Profile of the Year, Letter of Recognition from President Bill Clinton, Proclamations for Community and City Service from the L.A. Mayor’s Office, State Senate and County of Los Angeles, Fox KTTV Channel 11, Community Friends in Business inducted into “Who’s Who” in Professionals.
Celebrity clients include: Patti LaBelle, Tyra Banks, Nancy Wilson, Faith Evans, Vivica Fox, Victoria Rowell, Lisa Raye, Loretta Devine, Thelma Hopkins, Lillie Knauls, Bishop Magic Don Juan, and Socialite Mrs. Burnstyn of Beverly Hills. At the boutique hat store on Crenshaw Blvd., people window shop at night because the lights never go out.
It is unlikely that the hat will ever die as an accessory as it offers far too much potential for drawing attention to the face.
One-Of-A-Kind Hats can shorten the crown or brims and change or alter the hat. Your hat can be custom designed the way you want it.
Mrs. Robinson is an entrepreneur, minister, wife, mother and grandmother.
One-Of-A-Kind Hat locations are: Crenshaw Square, 3856 Crenshaw Blvd., in L.A. and Windsor Hills 4432 W. Slauson Ave., in L.A. For more information regarding One-Of-A-Kind Hats, call (323) 293-4931 or (323) 296-0130.
