How I discovered my passion for millinery…
In 2016, a group of us had been to Ascot for a 50th birthday celebration, and my friend and I had our fascinators made. It was a beautiful day and seeing all the amazing hats on show gave me a lightbulb moment. I realised that if I trained, I would be able to make these amazing headpieces.
I have always been crafty but learnt to sew when I was young thanks to my mum and my grandmothers. My paternal grandmother was a young widow and supported her family as a seamstress and corsetiere. My maternal grandmother taught me to make ragdolls and their clothes.
My first foray into fashion was using my mum’s sewing machine at the age of about seven to make tiny dolls clothes for Sindy. In my early 20’s, I went on to make bridesmaids dresses and prom dresses for friends and family. I’ve made many a sequin jacket, shoulder pads and pencil skirts for a night out in the 80’s!!
I started my initial millinery training at the British School of Millinery in Cheltenham with
Denise Innes-Spencer.
Denise was taught by Rose Cory who was the Queen Mother’s milliner. She taught the couture way of making beautiful hats. I have since learnt further techniques with Tracy Chaplin at London Hat week and I am a member of the Katherine Elizabeth Millinery Academy.
Making hats in the “couture way”, I tailor beautiful bespoke designs for my clients in my
studio just outside Plymouth, where everything is made by hand.
I am very approachable and would love to discuss your next hat, outlining design suggestions, prices, and lead times for your own individual creation.
Millinery has given me the outlet to be creative and I love the designing and making process, learning new techniques which I can then incorporate into a new collection of beautiful headpieces.