Discover how Filipino craftsmanship shines in ‘Wicked’ as Harvy Santos, Senior Milliner, creates the film’s iconic hats

FILIPINO talent takes center stage in the Land of Oz as Harvy Santos, Senior Milliner for the film adaptation of Wicked, creates its most iconic hats.

Harvy Santos’ path to becoming a renowned milliner wasn’t a straight one. “I originally came from the Philippines,” Santos shares, recounting his humble beginnings. His fascination with costumes began at just six years old, but it wasn’t until years later, as a ballet dancer with the Hong Kong Ballet, that he began to actively pursue this passion.

“I used to be a ballet dancer. All of the money that I got from dancing, every payday I would buy myself books on garment construction and costume design.” Santos recalls. He eventually left dance behind and moved to the UK, where he honed his craft at Kensington and Chelsea colleges.

His creative ingenuity quickly garnered attention—his award-winning hats have graced the pages of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and other prestigious fashion publications.

Now as Senior Milliner for Wicked, Santos breathes life into headpieces that symbolize empowerment and strength. “Millinery is like sculpture, we started playing with materials, to experiment with shapes,” he says. “Until this post, it’s still fascinating, it’s still challenging, and I quite like those challenges because I get to be inventive and creative with it.”

Each hat Santos creates helps shape the magical world of Wicked, a tale of friendship, courage, and self-discovery. Reflecting on his role, he says, “Every day, I’m part of what I have accomplished, and knowing the fact that you are contributing on an epic film, that’s very exhilarating.”

Catch Harvy Santos’ extraordinary creations on the big screen! Wicked is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

(ROHN ROMULO)