The Belgian-Flemish milliner of Romanian origin captivates audiences at the 34th edition of one of the world’s most prestigious international hat festivals

There are places whose names may not be familiar to the general public, yet they are legendary within their field. Caussade, a charming town of approximately 7,000 inhabitants in the Occitanie region of southern France, about 80 kilometres north of Toulouse, is one of them. For more than three decades, it has been recognised internationally as one of the great capitals of the art of hat making.

From 16 to 19 July 2026, the town hosted the 34th edition of the Estivales du Chapeau, an internationally renowned festival bringing together milliners, fashion designers, artisans and hat enthusiasts from across Europe and beyond.

Among this year’s invited creators was Donia Star (Doinița Miculescu-Tomeci), the only representative from Flanders, Belgium, while the other Belgian participants mainly represented the French-speaking community.

A Warm Welcome in the World Capital of Millinery

The international guests were welcomed upon arrival at Toulouse Airport before being transferred to Caussade by a luxury shuttle arranged by the organisers.

From the very first moments, participants experienced the outstanding professionalism and hospitality that have made the festival famous throughout Europe.

At the heart of the town, the elegant white pavilions of the Village des Modistes became the meeting place for designers from France, Belgium, the United Kingdom and several other European countries, all presenting their latest creations to thousands of visitors.

For four unforgettable days, Caussade truly lived and breathed the art of millinery.

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„La Lumière de la Liberté” – A Creation That Captured Attention

One of the highlights of Donia Star’s participation was the presentation of her original creation, „La Lumière de la Liberté” (The Light of Freedom), entered into the International Hat Competition.

The elegant design immediately attracted considerable attention from both visitors and professionals, who praised its originality, refinement and artistic expression throughout the exhibition and fashion presentations.

This marked Donia Star’s second participation in the prestigious competition. Two years earlier, one of her creations had been selected despite her being unable to attend in person. This year, however, she experienced the festival firsthand, meeting fellow designers, exchanging ideas and strengthening international professional relationships.

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Where Romanian Heritage Meets Flemish Elegance

Throughout the festival, Donia Star proudly spoke about her Romanian roots.

Her artistic inspiration originates in the rich traditions of Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, which she combines with the elegance, precision and craftsmanship of the Flemish design school.

The result is a distinctive artistic signature that has earned recognition well beyond Belgium’s borders.

An Exclusive Journey into Caussade’s Millinery Heritage

Beyond the official festival programme, Donia Star and her husband, an international journalist and Programme Director of Radio-TV Arthis Brussels, were granted the privilege of visiting three historic hat manufacturing companies in Caussade.

These exclusive visits offered a rare opportunity to discover the traditional craftsmanship and industrial expertise that established Caussade’s international reputation as one of Europe’s historic centres of hat making.

The visits were made possible thanks to Michel, their local host throughout the festival.

At eighty years of age, Michel impressed everyone with his energy, generosity and deep love for his hometown. Thanks to his long-standing connections within the community, he introduced the couple to factory directors and local personalities, opening doors that few visitors ever have the opportunity to enter.

Beyond the world of hats, Michel also introduced them to another treasure of the Occitanie region: its orchards, gardens, local traditions and remarkable gastronomy, making their stay in Caussade an unforgettable cultural experience.

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Four Days of Fashion, Music and Creativity

Every day of the festival featured exhibitions, fashion shows, concerts and artistic performances celebrating creativity in all its forms.

The grand international fashion show at Espace Bonnaïs was undoubtedly one of the highlights of this year’s edition. Despite temperatures exceeding 35°C, the venue was filled to capacity as visitors enthusiastically applauded the designers and their remarkable creations.

Once again, the festival demonstrated the extraordinary diversity and artistic excellence that characterise contemporary millinery.

Looking Towards the Future

Donia Star’s successful participation in Caussade opens new international opportunities.

This September she has been invited to the Netherlands, where she will conduct creative workshops demonstrating how elegant fascinators can be designed from simple scarves in just a few hours.

These workshops will also mark the beginning of a new series of online courses, which will soon become available in several languages, including Romanian, enabling enthusiasts from different countries to discover her unique techniques and artistic philosophy.

Together with her husband, Donia Star also hopes to further develop The World Hat Walk Belgium, transforming it into a multi-day international festival dedicated to the art of millinery.

Special thanks also go to Michel, whose friendship, generosity and passion for his town transformed an already exceptional festival into a truly unforgettable human experience.

Once again, the organisers demonstrated that the Estivales du Chapeau are much more than a fashion event—they are a celebration of craftsmanship, cultural heritage, friendship and international cooperation.