This week’s #craftfocus is millinery.
Millinery embraces the design and making of many forms of hats and headwear worn on all occasions. It includes those made for theatre, film and TV. Traditionally associated with the making of hats for women, milliners now make hats for everyone using a wide variety of materials.
Historically, the UK has had a large and very reputable hat manufacturing industry, though in the 1990s it was badly affected by cheaper foreign imports. The following decade resulted in the collapse of many companies.
However, due to the talent and tenacity of the British, the UK has since become the world’s leader of high fashion, particularly in millinery, with exquisite designs, made in small ateliers and workshops.
Several measures can improve the viability of the craft, including a reduction in college fees, increased awareness of the industry in schools and colleges and the introduction of apprenticehips which are inexpensive to operate – as well as greater support to the British Hat Guild.
Images: Shandana de la Riviere Gruber @millinerybyshandana
#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #millinery #hatmaking