🌟SAVE THE DATE’S 16th AND 17th MAY 2026 🌟
'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'.
Across a programme of talks on May 16th and 17th, the symposium will explore the craftsmanship, techniques, and stories that define traditional hat-making. Highlights include a talk by Rachel Trevor Morgan; a celebration of 'Lock & Co. Hatters,' as they mark 350 years as the world’s oldest hatters; and specialist talks including straw plaiting and hatting, fabric pleating, flower-making, plume making and Britain’s pre-industrial felt-making heritage.
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.
Tickets on sale over four sessions from early April, see our website for more details 🎩
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@britishhatguild@londoncraftweek@feltmakers@heritagecrafts@worshipfulcompanyoffounders
Less than a week before "HEADS UP: a hat making symptoms for the endangered crafts"
A full weekend of talks, discovery and appreciation of all the crafts (endangered or not) that makes the world of hat making and millinery so special and unique.
Tickets are selling fast, but there are still seats available both days (link in bio)
See you all there!!!
🗓️ Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th MAY
⏰ Morning sessions: 9.15 am - 1 pm Afternoon sessions: 2 pm - 5.30 pm
📍 Founders' Hall, One Cloth Fair, City of London, EC1A 7JQ
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@britishhatguild@londoncraftweek@heritagecrafts
One for students of millinery:
If you are even a teensy bit interested in taking your skills to the next level, if you’ve day dreamed about full time millinery course, this is for you. On Sunday 17th May, as part of the @britishhatguild HEADS UP Symposium in collaboration with @heritagecrafts , I’ll be giving a talk and answering questions about the @kingsfoundation millinery programme. In the very same session, @vesnahats will be talking about the incredible millinery courses @morley_college@morleymillinery . Come along and hear how heritage crafts are embedded into the teaching and why this matters so much to the millinery industry and moreover to your future as a milliner. Link in bio to book, or go to @britishhatguild@heritagecrafts websites… see you there!
Images showing the work of some of last year’s talented students @emilyhurstmillinery@abfernleymillinery@jessicaturley_design@emily_rose_studio
Craftsmanship meets art for the Met Gala 🌹
Get @reshare_app • @awongolding The making of @naomiosaka ’s Met Gala hat — a collaboration with @robertwun .
From Robert’s initial sketch, to the handmade block, to the final reveal on those hallowed steps. Step inside our studio to see behind the scenes.
#naomiosaka #robertwun #metgala2026 #awongolding #millinery
The last, but definitely not the least of "Heads Up" part promises you three talks you cannot miss!!!
Session#4 on Sunday 17th May will start with the sculptural art of hat-block making, moving to the delicate craft of flower-making to end with a celebration of 350 years in business from the oldest hat shop in the world!
Ending with style two days of amazing talks
@hatblockmaker@petershams@edwinaibbotson@giulia.mio.millinery@lockhatters
Visit our website (link in bio) to discover the full schedule and book your tickets!!
See you all there!!
@britishhatguild@heritagecrafts
#heritage
#hatmaking #londoncraftweek
Before the magic happens, there is even more magic involved ✨ ready to know more?
Get @reshare_app • @hatblockmaker Blocks before they're hat blocks, prepped and ready for shaping to begin... #millinery #hatblocks #hatting #hatmaking #woodworking
🐎The "Season" is upon us! 🐎Get @reshare_app • @ascotracecourse Royal Ascot Trials Day is the perfect warm-up for Royal Ascot.
Browse handcrafted hats from 15 British Hat Guild milliners in the grandstand and find your perfect race-day look👒✨
"Heads Up" Session #3 on Sunday 17th May presents you with even more interesting talks!
From the future of our craft in education to fabulous machines to make straw hats to the magical and ancient skill of bow felt making, there is no better way to spend a Sunday morning in great company!!
@sarahcantmillinery@kingsfoundation@vesnahats@morleymillinery@harvysantoshats@millinerclaire@rachelfrosthatter
Visit our website (link in bio) to explore the full schedule and purchase the tickets!!
And get ready for the last session of the symposium on Sunday 17th May afternoon...you will be amazed!!
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@britishhatguild@heritagecrafts@londoncraftweek
Curious about this machine?? Better keep an eye on "Heads Up" Session #3 on Sunday 17th May!
Get @reshare_app • @harvysantoshats So… it took a while but I am glad I got to put this all back together and I think it’s working!
All the rust has been removed. It wasn’t turning before, and would still need to sharpen the blade properly.
Will post video of it in action soon!
#harvysantoshats #17guineamachine #mechanicmode #millinery machine
"Heads Up" Session n. 2 on Saturday 16th May promises you an afternoon full of interesting and unexpected talks!
From the intricacies of fabric pleating to the magical world of puppetry and hats, to the everlasting love affair between the UK and Panamas to conclude with the wonderful stories between silk flowers and the late Queen's hats.
Definitely an afternoon well spent ... And wait to see what we have lined up for you on Sunday 17th!!!
@theseasonhats@bridgetbailey.textile.milliner@rebeccagray_millinery@panamahats.co.uk@majesapanamas@racheltrevormorgan
Visit our website (link in bio) to discover the full schedule and follow the links to purchase your tickets!
@britishhatguild@londoncraftweek@heritagecrafts
Get @reshare_app • @lyzehats Yesterday Felt Like Stepping Into A Living Dream.
Seeing Schiaparelli Up Close At The V&A With Fellow Guild Milliners — I Was Completely Mesmerised.
The Audacity, The imagination, The Sheer Artistry… To Think Of What Elsa Created In Her Times Feels Almost Otherwordly.
Every Detail Carried Intention, Every Silhouette Whispered Rebellion And Brilliance.
It Reminded Me Why We Do What We Do — Why We Shape, Stitch, Steam And Persist.
And Then… A Pause From It All.
No Needles. No Thread. No Rushing Hands. Just Sunshine, Shared Laughter, A Quiet Gathering In The Museum Forecourt — Milliners Together, Soaking In Inspiration Beyond The Workbench.
Days Like This Refill Something Deeper.
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#ElsaSchiaparelli #MillineryLife #HatDesign #CreativeProcess # ArtInFashion
