Photos: Nick Fouquet

Nick Fouquet, who is also a model, handcrafts one-of-a-kind hats in his Venice studio. His creations have become popular among celebrities such as Madonna and Pharrell Williams. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

June 8, 2014 8 AM PT

Thirty-one-year-old model turned hatter Nick Fouquet blends fashion and functionality in his one-of-a-kind chapeaus.

Before forming each hat, Fouquet steams beaver felt to make it malleable enough to shape by hand. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Fouquet cuts these oval pieces of wood to match his customers’ hat sizes so he can keep their measurements on hand. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Fouquet stretches felt over a mahogany block form, forming a hat with a rounded top and deep crease in the brim. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Fouquet uses fire and smoke to lend age and character to some of his custom-made hats. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

After pressing and shaping the felt, Fouquet sews an interior sweat band and hat band onto each of his hats. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Fouquet sews on the interior sweat band for the hat. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Nick Fouquet tries on one of his hats. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)