(Please click the button at the bottom right for Spanish translation)
Caitlin Sappington is an emerging artist and designer behind Disco Swell’s growing custom hat and apparel brand. Disco Swell was born on California’s coast and raised in Telluride. As CEO, Caitlin is creating her own genre unifying coastal and mountain culture.
Drawing inspiration from her love for California’s 70’s Golden Era, each hat is made with soul and nostalgia sewn into the seams.
Professionally trained in millinery and western cowboy hats, her expertise established in both trades ensures that each hat lasts for generations. Caitlin uses tried and true traditional handcrafted methods - from hat blocks, sewing in sweatbands, and shaping.
She is a purveyor of the highest quality, creating wearable art that withstands the elements. Each custom piece is one-of-a-kind and serves as a canvas for her unique art.
We asked Caitlin a few questions…
What is your chosen artistic medium?
Wearable Art. Artisan bespoke custom hats and handmade jewelry hat bands that are built for mountain, river, and sea.
What are you currently working on?
Opening the Disco, a pop-up custom hat bar and local art gallery as a part of Society Telluride downtown on Main St. The Disco opens Mountain Film Weekend, Friday, May 24th.
If you could have a conversation with one artist, alive or deceased, who would it be and why?
David Bowie. He was a driving force behind cultivating authentic community through inclusivity in his work and fluid style, which is what I strive for with Disco Swell. Disco Swell’s mantra “Wear Fluid Art” is a nod to his song “Rebel, Rebel.”
What are your prep or practice rituals to get you into the artistic headspace?
Listening to vinyl and looking through vintage photographs from musicians on tour or style icons traveling back in the day. Admiring retro colorways, abstract patterns and free-spirited style bring me to a place of creating art rather than a product.
Tell us about any upcoming events, releases, or anticipated projects!
Collaborating with Brooke Einbender of Mindbender Art and Alex Ferrari. Disco Swell is featuring one of Brooke Einbender’s mind-bending portals in its pop-up custom hat bar and art gallery, the Disco. This portal artwork is a digital collage, titled “Suspended on a Sunbeam.” In addition to showcasing this piece, the Disco will be featuring a photo series by photographer, Alex Ferrari for its grand opening this coming May.
