with Lia LaRue

I met my best friend Nicole over eighteen years ago in Nashville, and we quickly realized we were kindred spirits. Nicole is a Franklin native. She was born and raised right here in the heart of the South. Whereas, I moved to Franklin twenty years ago and have called it home ever since. Through the years, we have lived a lot of life together as mothers, artists, musicians, travelers and now hat makers! Nicole and I have always been avid hat wearers but had trouble finding what we ultimately wanted in a hat. In our many travels out West, we fell in love with the long landscapes and the grit of the people among its wild nature. Out West is where our love for hats became more than just an accessory to our wardrobe. In a desire to create high-end, quality, unique hats, that echo the sentiments of the West, we dove into the world of traditional millinery hat-making. We began like any great company, in the garage of my home. So, in tapping into our collaborative creativity, some trial and error and good ol’ fashion elbow grease, Nic and Maude was born. 

Where did the name Nic and Maude come from? Well, my Great-Great Aunt Maude was a hat maker in downtown Detroit in the 1940s and ’50s. She was a beautiful, free-spirited, self-made woman, who, despite many setbacks in her personal life, founded a successful hat company. So, in choosing the name for our company, it only felt right to tip our hat to Great Aunt Maude. 

What makes our custom hats stand out among the rest, is a few key details. Every hat is hand-pressed, hand-sewn and hand-shaped, giving each a one-of-a-kind feel. Another element to the process is that Nicole and I take time to hear about your story, and you collectively create how you want to finish and adorn your hat. From the basics of leather and silks wrapped around the crown to the unique ability to use personal items and family heirlooms, and even hand-burning quotes or names, these hats can carry each client’s individual narrative. Since the beginning, the goal of Nic & Maude was to bring the customer’s story to life in each piece, making it a conversation starter, and personal memento. 

Apart from our hat-making endeavors, we are also active members of the Williamson County community. We believe in giving back, and have been involved in various local initiatives, and fundraising events for local charities. 

If you’re intrigued by our story and want to experience the magic of Nic & Maude for yourself, visit our website nicandmaude.com or follow us on all social media platforms at 

@nicandmaude. Our hats are also available for purchase at Moo Country in downtown Leiper’s Fork, Cult Persona in downtown Columbia, and Awaken Tennessee in downtown Franklin. And as always, we offer custom commissions for those who want a unique experience and one-of-a-kind hat.