Popular Country and Western singer Lainey Wilson may have started a trend – utilizing hats as fashion pieces – but Oakdale’s Syanne Dominguez is running with it.

Dominguez recently launched Felt+Feather, a custom hat business, specializing in creating show stopping, custom decorated hats.

“We traveled to Texas last October and there were some stores there, inside of them they had hat bars,” she said of a trip with her boyfriend and a couple of friends. “I’m a huge hat fan, period. A lot of the elements were jewelry elements and I also make jewelry.”

With a name like Syanne, the entrepreneur shared the challenge of finding jewelry pieces with her name emblazoned on them. Hence the start of making her own jewelry, which led to dolling up a few hats she had at home.

As the idea of launching the business unfolded, Dominguez would send photos of varying hat styles as well as designs she created to her close friends for feedback. That combined with research and trinket selection were all instrumental in getting the custom hat business ready to launch.

“I wanted to launch prior to Rodeo,” she shared, additionally noting she knew she wanted to launch the business at the H-B Saloon along East F Street.

And launch she did. In mid-March, Dominquez hosted her launch to the tune of creating 28 custom hats, with a few left over for her Pop-Up event later hosted at Roberts Ferry Gourmet in Oakdale.

“The options are endless,” she said of styling a hat.

Hat enthusiasts can not only pick the style which best suits them or their need but they can then choose ribbons, cording, chains, feathers, charms, safety pins, conchos, playing cards, matchbooks or bring their own charms to help customize their hat.

“I also have had people in the past that I’ve made custom hats for bring sentimental items,” Dominguez continued.

Anything from a special necklace, charms from other jewelry pieces or a shotgun shell with a turkey feather for a turkey hunter, have all been brought by past clients.

“If you can dream it, I can make it happen,” she said.

For Dominguez, the timing and location couldn’t be better.

“I knew it was going to be popular,” Dominguez shared of the reception so far. “I knew that people would like it around here especially going into rodeo and the cowgirl luncheons.”

With demand currently so high, hats continuing to trend and a full-time day job to work around, the hat creator shared she would like to secure a space in downtown Oakdale where she could create for clients by appointment. This would also give her the opportunity to host parties or special events. Until that space is found, Dominguez plans to be a vendor for the new Oakdale Morning Market, which starts in early May and will be offered on Saturday mornings.

“A nice little side hustle to spark my creativity and make a little extra money on the side,” she said. “I’m a ‘go big or go home’ kind of girl.”

And go big she has, with a variety of hat styles, colors and sizing, as well as the accessories to make any girls’ dream hat come true. Dominguez also pointed out a large number of her hats are made in America.

“I’ve tried really hard to buy American made,” she said of her inventory, sharing that her biggest supplier is out of Watsonville. “They’re an incredible product and have amazing customer service. I try my best to buy American made, that’s important to me.”

And while the creator is in no hurry to quit her day job, she admits that the support of her boyfriend and her father, as well as close friend Laura Cunningham are instrumental in making it all happen.

“I could not have done this, because I do work a full-time job, without the support of my family and friends. My boyfriend and my dad are a huge support,” Dominguez stated. “They’re my favorite dudes. They’ve got my back and always support my wild ideas. That’s a huge reason I’m able to do all this stuff.”

Now as the demand continues for her creations and with the added excitement of Rodeo Week, Dominguez could not be happier.

“I love to create and I love the interaction of it.”

For more information or to inquire on upcoming events, direct message Dominguez on the Felt+Feather Instagram page felt_feather.