About

Born and bred in Pretoria, South Africa, Albertus Swanepoel moved to New York City after a seven year career as a critically acclaimed fashion designer in Johannesburg under his Quartus Manna label. In 1987 he won the Coty Award as top designer in his country.

Albertus trained as a milliner under Janine Galimard, who worked for Balenciaga in Paris in the 50’s and 60’s. He assisted well known hat designer Lola for several years on a freelance basis and also Lynne Mackey, a theatrical milliner where he constructed hats for Broadway shows such as Kiss me Kate and Mamma Mia as well as several operas and ballets. In 2000, he briefly acted as Style Editor for Martha Stewart Wedding magazine.

Year 2004, Albertus began collaborating with several New York designers for their runway presentations. He has since been a constant in the fashion world as the milliner to seek out during New York Fashion Week. His list of designers includes Marc by Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Thakoon, Carolina Herrera, Peter Som, Erin Fetherston, Diane Von Furstenberg, Alexander Wang, Betsy Johnson, Nathan Jenden, Costello Tagliapietra, Jason Wu and Araks.

His namesake label, Albertus Swanepoel, sells to some of the top retailers in the U.S. and is beginning to receive additional international recognition.

He has received press in Vogue, The New York Times, Code Nast Travel and Leisure, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Time magazine and several other publications internationally.

In 2008 Albertus was a runner up for the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Award. In 2009 – nominated for a Swarovski CFDA Accessory Award.

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