Millinery Commission

Commission for Digging Deep for the Reluctant Adventures of Sky

http://www.diggingdeep.co.uk/

by Identity Detective

http://www.identitydetective.co.uk/#/about/4555628973 

Creative Director: Nikky Norton Shafau

I responded to a shout-out for costume assistant that was part of Manchester Metropolitan University email-out while I was studying Creative Practice.

BRIEF

Design an eccentric hat for Mario, the Italian ice cream vendor outside the theatre doors.

The madder the better!

My initial starting point of inspiration for texture and colour

The hat block

Sinamay, layered in different to get that old waffle cone colour and appearance. The heat of the iron will ensure they stick together and can be moulded as one piece.

    The sinamay is blocked and left to rest so the glues applied dry and solidify

 Can I get a perfect Whippy?

The monkey's blood (well, 3D fabric paint) goes on! One chance only...

The hat is retains its shape once removed from the block

Lining for the pillbox crown...a mixture of quilted silk and neon synthetic

It's all fitting in very nicely and the elastic is attached through eyelets

 I appliqued decorated and stiffened letters.
Can you tell what it is yet?!

Mario dons his Whippy 99!

"You'a want'a choc ice'a, ah? You'va come'a to the wrong place!"

Special thanks to Chrissie King at Hat Therapy

and Thomas Graham at The Wasp Factory

http://www.hattherapy.co.uk/ 

http://www.safespaces.co.uk/

Millinery Apprenticeship

Millinery Apprenticeship

I worked part-time for 18 months at Hat Therapy in Hebden Bridge, a small shop and atelier on the high street that designs, makes, sources and sells unique hats and accessories. I trained alongside the owner, Chrissie King, a warm and generous person who encouraged me to be creative as well as think practically about selling the designs.

http://www.hattherapy.co.uk/ 

Shaping is done by hand, which is tricky but leads to great shapes

Pinning the felt to a hat block

Steaming the felt softens it ready to be moulded and pinned

Once the felt has been given a few days to dry, it can be removed from the block and the shape is set.

Small bulldog clips are so much easier than pins and prevent any holes in the delicate fabric

Pinning a brim to the block

The brim and crown are attached and finished

Bead embroidery on the crown

Attaching the bias silk to the brim using the life saving bulldog clips with the machine

 

Then the brim is attached

2 adorable sinamay cloches with hand-made roses

 

 

I called this the Dior At Tiffany's hat. Divine.

When you live in Yorkshire, waterproofing accessories isn't a luxury. And who doesn't want to look fabulous as they're being washed away?

Killer silk clutch... pret-a-porter!