Fill in...the blanks: With milliner Crystal Birch

Stylist Crystal Birch is also an excellent milliner with a shop in the newly refurbished Cosmopolitan Hotel in Maboneng, which she shares with perfume maker Agata Karolina of House of Gozdawa.

Birch created Jack Parow's signature long-billed caps, has styled Tanzanian pop videos, and Wallpaper magazine listed her as a reason to visit South Africa. She studied millinery in London with Noel Stewart. Andrea Nagel asked her to fill in the blanks:

I make things ... in styles that are classic with a twist, or tongue in cheek, or out of straw, felt or found objects.

I decided to make ... hats in Cape Town because I live in a country with an incredible beat and pulse and wanted to capture this.

I work in ... my studio in Woodstock and wind down ... by taking walks on the beach with my boyfriend and dogs.

I get my inspiration ... from watching people, from the internet and from many cool objects I find around me.

I love South African design because ... Africa is where it is at right now.

My favourite colour is ... yellow.

You can find my wares at ... therealcrystalbirch.com ... which is ... currently being hacked by hackers for some reason, but will be up and running soon as an online store.

I chose this place to create and be inspired because ... I have been to many others and it's good to be home.

I love ... accessories ... because ... they're lighter to travel with and can change your whole outfit.

I always wear ... something comfortable because I move a lot.

For my next trick ... I will hopefully soon be able to pull a rabbit out one of my own hats.

My favourite piece of fashion advice is ... be yourself and don't be afraid of colour.