Gladys Tamez was born in Texas and grew up in Mexico. She studied art in Monterrey, Mexico and design in Florence, Italy. She has had a long love affair with hats that grew out of her upbring among the corridas and traditions of Northern Mexico. Gladys’ journey began when she didn’t see any hats on the market that had the styling finesse and quality she was looking for and that motivated her to create her brand Gladys Tamez Millinery. Gladys goal was to create a true luxury heritage product not just a so called “luxury brand”. For her luxury is in the making. Her first collection was inspired by a dream she had where horses where galloping through space. This conceptual process that begins with a simple inspiration informs each collection. Art, sculpture and historical fashion continues to be the visual narrative that makes her designs original and exciting. Gladys first rule for her clients is that the hat should give and grow confidence. This imparting of individual confidence through design is at the heart of what keeps her engaged and passionate.

Gladys has been innovative by balancing the wholesale with a hands-on direct to consumer model that is focused on client visits to her website and store in Los Angeles.  Gladys has shown for over 14 seasons in Paris and is sold in Asia, North America and Europe with online clients spanning the globe. Her clients are both men and women who are looking for added value, cutting edge design and work of the highest quality. All her designs are handmade by craftspeople in the workshop cum retail space where house artisans continue the tradition of millinery savoir-faire techniques.

Gladys Tamez’ Arts District flagship store and atelier is featured in the authoritative  2019 “Louis Vuitton City Guide: Los Angeles” luxury travel guide describing the studio as a “hospitable holy grail for hat aficionados”.

Gladys and her team work constantly with stylists and costume designers in Hollywood and has become the go to hat maker for many in the business. Gladys has an extensive celebrity clientele from all creative fields. Best known for her collaborations with Lady Gaga including the iconic pink hat from the Joanne album cover and Gaga’s “Million Dollar Hat” from her 2016 Victoria Secret performance. She works frequently with Beyonce, Kylie Jenner and others including Lil Nas X, LeBron James, Ringo Starr, Beck and Johnny Depp. She works extensively with Latin actors and musicians including Maluma, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek  and Damien Berchier.

Her design philosophy is influenced by contemporary art and sculpture which she sees as a vanguard that informs her luxurious craftsmanship, style and vision. Gladys was named in Forbes Mexico as one of the 50 most creative Mexicans in the world.

Gladys is profiled in the upcoming release of Assouline’s coffee table book Mexican Style and her red sculptural Turlington hat graces its cover. Gladys is widely credited with leading the revival of the hat as an integral and essential accessory since the release of her Fashion Icons collection in 2014. Trendsetter, leader and proud Latina, Gladys’ philosophy is that a fine hat is an essential of personal style and no outfit is complete without one.

Gladys has lived and worked in Los Angeles for over 20 years.