About this Event
'The British Hat Guild,' presents a two-day symposium to celebrate Britain’s specialist millinery and hat making techniques that now feature on 'The Red List of Endangered Crafts.' Hosted in the heritage-inspired surroundings of 'The Founders’ Livery Hall,' and in partnership with 'Heritage Crafts' and 'The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers,' the event will bring together makers, historians, designers, and enthusiasts to honour skills deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural and fashion history.
By shining a light on these remarkable skills and the people who practise them, the symposium offers an opportunity to appreciate their enduring relevance and respect the rich legacy they represent within today's British craft and design industry.
Saturday 16th May, 2pm – 5.30pm - Session 2
Please note you are purchasing a ticket for all the below talks for Saturday afternoon, please purchase separate tickets for further sessions.
Please arrive from 1.15 pm for coffee/tea
Hand Pleating: From Flat to Form - Paul Stafford with Bridget Bailey
- Bridget Bailey and Paul Stafford explore the development, process, and possibilities of hand-pleated fabric within their respective practices. Bridget will present video material illuminating her approach and techniques, while Paul will discuss his work and way of working in person.
Hats in Motion: Exploring Millinery through Marionette Puppetry - Rebecca Gray
- ‘Step into a world where every hat tells a story.’ Hats in Motion fuses hat-making, millinery, puppetry, and marionettes, exploring interactive, imaginative possibilities inspired by circus wonder and fairytales. Discover how these traditional crafts might come alive in playful and unexpected ways!!
The UKs Love Affair with Panama’s - A History - Mavi Tzaig, The Panama Hat Company
- A Panama is to Hat Wearing as Ray Bans are to Sunglass wearing !! - This talk will take you through 100 years of Craft, Fashion, and the British Obsession with quality.
Flowers for the Queen: Inside the Craft of Royal Millinery - Rachel Trevor – Morgan
- Rachel Trevor – Morgan
- As part of London Craft Week, royal milliner Rachel Trevor-Morgan shares a behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration and craft of designing hats for Queen Elizabeth II. In particular, Rachel will discuss the process of creating silk flowers for Her Majesty’s hats, revealing the meticulous process behind these iconic designs. Illustrated with examples of flowers and hats from her atelier.
Swiss Straw Braid Demonstration by Jo Willis
On Saturday, between talks, there will be a small demonstration of Swiss Straw work by Jo Willis, a member of the British Hat Guild who has been learning this straw technique for the past few years. The technique of using split wheat and rye straw to create exquisite straw braid and decorative trims for the straw hat industry, was developed in Switzerland; its heyday was during the 19th century.
Accessibility
The venue is accessible via a lift. However, we regret that there are currently no accessible toilet facilities available on site. Please contact us in advance if you would like to discuss access requirements at [email protected]
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Worshipful Company of Founders, 1 Cloth Fair, London, United Kingdom
GBP 25.00
