Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Maberry.
Hi Megan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m from Galveston, a place with a festival culture that runs almost year-round, and I’ve been making fun things to sit on my head during festivities for as long as I can remember — usually talking my friends into wearing them too. During Mardi Gras and other events such as Art Car Ball, people would stop me and offer to buy pieces right off my head. That’s when it clicked that this could be something more.
I asked on social media who would be interested, and the response was overwhelming. At the time, I was a high school art teacher, so Hurricane Headdress began as a side hustle alongside my teaching career. About three years in, I realized this wasn’t just extra income — it was a real creative path that had the potential to grow into a career.
The name Hurricane Headdress came to me in a dream like a lot of my ideas do. It is a nod to the resilience of the people that live near the coast. We know we could face natural disaster (and we have!) but we choose this anyway.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Balancing a demanding teaching career while building a creative business meant working nights, weekends, and summers for years. There was a steep learning curve moving from artist to entrepreneur — pricing my work, setting boundaries, and trusting that there was value in what I was making.
Another challenge was letting go of the safety of a steady paycheck to take my art seriously as a career. Growing something unconventional comes with self-doubt and a lot of trial and error. But each challenge helped clarify my direction, strengthen my confidence, and shape the business into something sustainable and aligned with who I am.
When I decided to leave teaching, I hired a business coach from New York who specializes in working with artists. It was an investment in myself and really helped escalate my outcomes in the past year.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create wearable art headpieces that are meant to be experienced, not just worn. My work specializes in bold, sculptural pieces inspired by festival culture, pageantry, and personal storytelling — especially within Mardi Gras traditions and celebratory events. I’m known for designing headpieces that become conversation starters and help people feel confident, playful, and unforgettable. These are memories and stories you share over and over.
What I’m most proud of is building a community around the work. Through custom commissions, workshops, and public events, my art invites people into the creative process and puts art directly on real people instead of behind glass.
What sets my work apart is that it extends beyond the studio and into real community experiences. I recently hosted an inaugural King Cake Bake Off at my gallery that brought people together to share 40 king cakes and 32 bottles of champagne — everyone dressed up, showed out, and celebrated together. That same spirit continues with the Grand Promenade, an upcoming hat parade on March 29th that invites people to stroll through Galveston’s historic downtown. These events are built around a simple idea: art is better when it’s shared, playful, and participatory — all you need is a hat or headdress and a willingness to join in.
In addition to studio work, I recently received a grant to produce a community portrait series highlighting everyday island residents, with each headdress designed from personal storytelling and local history. The opening exhibit will take place in June and travel to tourist heavy locations for the rest of the summer.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I was born in Houston and raised in Galveston, and both cities play an important role in who I am and how I create. I love Houston for its scale, diversity, and creative ambition — it’s a place where big ideas feel possible and where art, fashion, and culture constantly overlap. The energy and range of the city continue to inspire me.
Galveston shaped my sense of celebration and storytelling. Growing up surrounded by festivals, history, and a strong sense of place taught me that creativity belongs in everyday life. If there’s a downside, it’s that working between two worlds can sometimes mean navigating distance and different paces — but the blend of Houston’s momentum and Galveston’s soul is exactly what defines my style.
Pricing:
- Small ready-to-wear pieces $125
- Large Custom pieces start at $300 and go up with size and complexity
- Headdress workshops average $120 pp
- Studio Collections range from $150 to $225
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hurricaneheaddress.com
- Instagram: @hurricaneheaddress
- Facebook: @hurricaneheaddress
Image Credits
Image of me and multiple headdresses John Hall
Image of Mrs. Texas is a selfie from Kimberly Klein Hall
Image with poodle is by Katie Jones
The remaining are my images
