A hands-on maker, he was a graduate of the University of Pretoria, where he studied graphic design.
Swanepoel arrived in the city in 1989, two years after the crash, to work for a brand.
Fate had other plans, and he started working as a glove maker.
Albertus Swanepoel and Caroline Trentini. Photographed by Norman Jean Roy,Vogue, November 2008
I cherished working with Albertus.
He created the most extraordinary hats for us season after season.
I really felt he became an important part of each collection, said Adam Lippes.
Nicki Minaj in an Albertus Swanepoel hat. Photographed by Norman Jean Roy,Vogue, December 2023
Swanepoels hats sold widely, including at Ikram in Chicago.
Nicki Minaj in an Albertus Swanepoel hat.
I honor the great craft of millinery and make it relevant for today, Swanepoel wrote.
Anok Yai in an Albertus Swanepoel hat. Photographed by Theo Sion,Vogue,May 2019
Those values now live on in Swanepoels work.
Scroll right to see Albertus Swanepoels designs for runway.
See Albertus Swanepoels work inVogue.
Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Emily Blunt wears an Albertus Swanepoel hat. Photographed by Annie Leibovitz,Vogue, December 2018
Anok Yai in an Albertus Swanepoel hat.
Photographed by Theo Sion,Vogue,May 2019
Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Emily Blunt wears an Albertus Swanepoel hat.
Kendall Jenner in a faux-fur cloche by Albertus Swanepoel. Photographed by Mikael Jansson,Vogue, November 2018
Photographed by Annie Leibovitz,Vogue, December 2018
Kendall Jenner in a faux-fur cloche by Albertus Swanepoel.
Axente wears a Albertus Swanepoel hat.
Photographed by Norman Jean Roy.Vogue, August 2016
Emily Ratajkowski in an Albertus Swanepoel hat.
Jordan Spieth (right) with Vanessa Axente (left). Axente wears a Albertus Swanepoel hat. Photographed by Norman Jean Roy.Vogue, August 2016
Photographed by Theo Wenner,Vogue,November 2015
Elizabeth Debicki in an Albertus Swanepoel hat.
Photographed by Scott Trindle,Vogue, September 2015.
Lea Seydoux in an Albertus Swanepoel straw hat.
Emily Ratajkowski in an Albertus Swanepoel hat. Photographed by Theo Wenner,Vogue,November 2015
Photographed by Angelo Pennetta,Vogue, June 2015.
Karlie Kloss and Sasha Szubert.
Sasha Szubert wears an Albertus Swanepoel hat.
Elizabeth Debicki in an Albertus Swanepoel hat. Photographed by Scott Trindle,Vogue, September 2015.
Photographed by Mikael Jansson,Vogue, April 2014
A model wears an Albertus Swanepoel fedora.
Photographed by Marcus Mam,Vogue, October 2013.
Marion Cotillard in an Albertus Swanepoel beret.
Lea Seydoux in an Albertus Swanepoel straw hat. Photographed by Angelo Pennetta,Vogue, June 2015.
Photographed by Peter Lindberg,Vogue, August 2012
Jourdan Dunn in an Albertus Swanepoel hat.
Photographed by Raymond Meier,Vogue, November 2009
Coco Rocha in an Albertus Swanepoel fedora.
Photographed by Raymond Meier,Vogue, February 2009.
Karlie Kloss and Sasha Szubert. Sasha Szubert wears an Albertus Swanepoel hat. Photographed by Mikael Jansson,Vogue, April 2014
A model wears an Albertus Swanepoel fedora. Photographed by Marcus Mam,Vogue, October 2013.
Marion Cotillard in an Albertus Swanepoel beret. Photographed by Peter Lindberg,Vogue, August 2012
Jourdan Dunn in an Albertus Swanepoel hat. Photographed by David Sims,Vogue, September 2011
Kristen McMenamy, Photographed by David Sims,Vogue, August 2010
Kim Noorda in an Albertus Swanepoel bucket hat. Photographed by Raymond Meier,Vogue, November 2009
Coco Rocha in an Albertus Swanepoel fedora. Photographed by Raymond Meier,Vogue, February 2009.
