An iconic musical isn’t complete without its iconic costumes. In the land of Oz, movie fans and theatre buffs alike can recognize Elphaba Tropp’s hat from miles away, thanks to its unmistakable witchy silhouette. But what makes the Wicked film adaptation’s version of the costume more special is the creative mind behind its creation. Bringing Philippine pride to the land of Oz, senior milliner Harvy Santos shares his experience on the set of Wicked.

Before making it to 

, Harvey began as a dancer at the Hong Kong Ballet. “My fascination for costume started when I was 6. I used to be a ballet dancer.” Stemming from this love for performance, Harvey discovered a passion for design which eventually led him to his future as a milliner. “All of the money I got from dancing, every pay day, I would buy myself books on garment construction and costume design,” he shared to Make It Universal.

Details of Elphaba’s hat. Photo courtesy of @reel.milliner

Now, as the film’s senior milliner, Harvy shared pieces of his team’s process in creating the wonderful hats conceptualized by costume designer Paul Tazewell. “Millinery is like sculpture. We started playing with materials, we started playing with cardboards, to experiment with shapes.” With all kinds of twists and textures, Harvy and his team’s work filled the landscapes of Oz—from Emerald City to Gillikin. Fun fact: over 1000 hats were created just for this film!

‘Wicked’ senior milliner Harvy Santos. Photo courtesy of @thehatmagazine

An award-winning milliner now based in the UK, Harvy’s impressive portfolio includes multiple awards and features—such as creations he made for Lady Gaga and Bridgerton. With the success of Wicked, Harvy shared, “Everyday I’m proud of what I have accomplished, and knowing the fact that you’re contributing on an epic film, that’s very exhilarating.”

Get to know more about Harvy Santos and his creations on his website or find him on Instagram at @harvysantoshats