Tamez gladys

californian millinery

portrait and interview by OLIVIER ZAHM

OLIVIER ZAHM — Where do you come from?

GLADYS TAMEZ — I’m from the north of Mexico, from Tamaulipas. It shares a border with Texas — there are a lot of cowboys. I guess that’s where my passion for hats comes in. I come from a family of bullfighters.

OLIVIER ZAHM — So, there’s a tradition of bullfighting in Mexico?

GLADYS TAMEZ — Yes! It’s getting less and less though. Since I can remember, my mom and dad have worn hats. Especially when there was a bullfight or an event at the bullring. People would always wear hats.

OLIVIER ZAHM — There’s a lot of tension at the border with immigration?

OLIVER AND GLADYS TAMEZ IN THEIR MILLINERY, DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

GLADYS TAMEZ — Now, there’s a lot more tension. When I was growing up, we never saw…