I just want to illustrate the fact that, unlike some millinery businesses who may buy in hats and trim them, I do make everything from scratch. This may be the first of several technical forays (although I am not going to give away all my secrets), and it may help to demystify the millinery process;
a pre-dyed unstiffened parisisal cone…..
now a trimmed, and stiffened cone which I have dyed to the correct colour. My block is also in the picture, (made by me!) and covered in clingfilm to prevent any dye transference.
Now it is blocked and hanging to dry - I have lots of screws on my workbench for hanging blocks, it saves lots of shelf space….
Now de-blocked, I hand stitch a wire and navy petersham ribbon (to match my labels)….
I have stitched on two ostrich spines, stiffened some parisisal offcuts and glued a dyed pinok pok backing on to them, and then cut out leaf shapes to add to a flower I found in my stock…
I have just finished the piece by adding some sequins and a red jewel in the centre of the flower, the outfit it is for is a very graphic, bold coat and dress in green, and I did not want to overdo the green on the hat. The piece is just tacked together and anything can be altered, it is now ready for the customer to come and try…
On another note - the Stephen Jones Hat Anthology at the V&A does not disappoint. I really liked the informative and amusing films from very bygone days set in hat shops and factories. two downsides - the crowds (to be expected I suppose) but there was quite a bit of jostling(!) and the merchandise was appalling (although obviously lucrative as I watched several people buying it). I did, however, discover the theatrical display upstairs showcasing costumes and headdresses which was exceptionally inspirational…