This weekend, members of the Worshipful Company of Feltmakers accompanied the Master Feltmaker, Simon Millar, to Zurich at the kind invitation of the Zunftmeister of the Zunft zur Waag, Robert Naville, and Founder Waag Feltmaker René Kalt. The occasion was the spectacular Sechselaüten, or Spring Festival, which saw all 26 Zurich Guilds parading through the streets with their bands, regalia and camels (!) culminating in the ritual burning of the Böögg!
The fellowship between our two Companies runs deep and the Master took great pride in presenting the Founder Waag Feltmakers with their Honorary Liveryman certificates. The concept of taking wine was taken to new heights as the Zunft zur Waag fountain was modified to flow wine rather than water. A truly memorable weekend where friendship, culture, and joy were abundant in equal measure.
Interested in learning more about the Feltmakers, then contact us at [email protected].
Photos from the Feltmakers Competition Judging with our panel of judges composed of Noel Stewart, Edwina Ibbotson, Judy Bentick, William Horsman, Elly Stemerdink from the Hat Magazine and Rachel Trevor-Morgan.
The Company of Feltmakers is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Feltmakers Hat Design Competition. From over 40 applications, 26 were called in and 7 winners were selected.
Many thanks to our panel of Judges composed of William Horsman, Noel Stewart, Edwina Ibbotson, Judy Bentick, Elly Stemerdink from the Hat Magazine and Rachel Trevor-Morgan. @noelstewart@edwinaibbotson@judybentinckmilliner@hatmagazine@racheltrevormorgan
The winners are:
First Prize - Imogen Privett from Morley College @imogenprivett
Second Prize - Amelia Down from the King’s Foundation @amelia_makes_hats
Third Prize - Charlie Tolley, apprentice at Sahar Millinery @charlietolleymillinery
Craftsmanship Award - Yvonne Cunnington, apprentice at Ian Bennett Millinery @hats_by_yvonne
Commercial Award - Victoria Hinds from Morley College @victoriahindsmillinery
Artwork and Presentation - Syrie Tordoff, apprentice at Judy Bentick Millinery @syrietstudios
Innovative Use of Felt - Molly Ashdown from Nottingham Trent University @mashdownstudios
Huge congratulations to all of you!
Set against the splendour of Haberdashers’ Hall, The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers welcomed two wonderful new members yesterday, Ian Edmed and Milliner Gill Stratton.
After taking their oaths, the Master Feltmaker, Simon Millar, spoke passionately about the fellowship that binds the Livery together while touring the beautiful courtyard garden, bathed in sunlight just for the occasion!
Interested in learning more about the Feltmakers, then contact us at [email protected].
The Master Feltmaker, Simon Millar, welcomed four incredibly talented individuals as Liverymen to the Worshipful Company of Feltmakers: Adam Stiles, The Hon Katie Levene, Tom Owen, and Mark Aitkins.
After the poignancy of the ceremony, they joined other Feltmakers at Ironmongers’ Hall in a celebration of fellowship, and the Spring Dinner reflects the time of year where new friendships blossom and new hats can be showcased!
We were delighted to welcome several guests for the evening, including Guest Speaker Samantha McClary who reminded us of the importance of workspace for connection and our responsibility to drive innovation to protect it for the future.
Interested in learning more about the Feltmakers, then contact us at [email protected].
Today the Master Feltmaker, Simon Millar, welcomed the newest Feltmaker, The Hon Katherine Levene, after swearing her Freeman Oath. The auspicious surroundings of the Royal Air Force Club provided the perfect backdrop, in particular the stained glass window commissioned to celebrate the centenary of the service and of the Representation of the People Act which gave the first women the right to vote.
Interested in learning more about the Feltmakers, then contact us at [email protected].
Any service in St Paul’s Cathedral is special. Today’s 82nd Service of the United Guilds of the City of London was particularly poignant. The robed Master Feltmaker, Simon Millar, Upper Warden, Peter Winfield, Third Warden, John Horn, Fourth Warden, Nick Lee, and Clerk Hazel Ewen MSc BSc(Hons) IEng MIMechE, joined their counterparts in a service of reflection.
The sermon, delivered by the Reverend George Bush, highlighted the principles that bind the Liveries: friendship and peace. In a world that can seem fractured and disconnected, the Worshipful Company of Feltmakers rejoice in the fellowship of its members, and the small but significant difference we can make to the lives of those touched by our charitable endeavours.
Interested in learning more about the Feltmakers, then contact us at [email protected].
The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers and City Consorts Millinery and Hat Makers Luncheon at Mansion House on Wednesday was as anticipated as it was resplendent. Showcasing the extraordinary talents of our Milliners, the event displayed structure, whimsy, and the defiance of gravity as the models took to the floor alongside guest appearances from Sheriff & Deputy Keith Bottomley CC and Shrieval Consort Kevin Bradford to rapturous applause.
Compères Rachel Trevor-Morgan and Jeremy Bedford introduced each of the Milliners and gave insights into the skills behind the designs. We were thrilled to hear of the work of VICTORIA GRANT, Milliner to a host of A-Listers, and her carnival of influences, during her interview.
A thank you to all the guests who entered the raffle for a bespoke hat which supported the Feltmakers’ nominated charity, Brain Tumour Research.
A truly wonderful occasion, supported by these truly wonderful craftsmen and women: Rachel Trevor-Morgan, Edwina Ibbotson, Alex Hayward, VICTORIA GRANT, Lock & Co Hatters, Victoria Carson, Fleur Curtis, Kat Barclay, Eda Rose-Lawson, Noel Stewart, Yvette Jelfs, Judy Bentinck, Mary Spiteri, and Vanessa Brett.
Interested in learning more about the Feltmakers, then contact us at [email protected].
The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers were delighted to welcome 4 new Freeman: Milliners Paul Stafford, Jenny Roberts and Rebecca Gray; and Adam Stiles.
Their oaths were taken in the presence of the Master Feltmaker, Simon Millar, at The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects’ Hall, Temple Bar, which was designed by Christopher Wren and returned to the Square Mile as part of the redevelopment of Paternoster Square.
This beautiful architectural gem provided the perfect backdrop for the beautifully crafted hats of our newest members. And there was quite the view from the window!
Interested in learning more about the Feltmakers, then contact us at [email protected].
The Feltmakers Millinery Show featuring the work of 13 milliners and men's hats from Lock and Co Hatters. Thank you all for taking part and congratulations on another fantastic show.
Clothing by @suzannahlondon
Special thanks to Rupert for the videography.
Monday evening saw us celebrate one of the unique events in the Feltmakers calendar, Plough Monday. Of ancient origin, in early feudal times it marked the end of the Christmas holidays when men returned to their plough.
On this day they would drag their plough from door to door in their parish or village and solicit money to spend on a frolic. If the householder was stingy, they would plough up the ground in front of his door! The saying “God speed the plough” is an expression of good wishes for success and prosperity.
We were delighted to host Sheriffs Robert Hughes-Penney and Keith Bottomley CC to this wonderful celebration in Cutlers’ Hall.
The Master Feltmaker, Simon Millar, extends those good wishes to you all.
A closer look at the Third Prize winner of the 2025 Feltmakers Competition - Annabeth Fernley @abfernleymillinery
This hat was inspired by a visit to Highgrove Gardens, where we are based for our millinery training. On our journey through the garden I was instantly drawn to a fountain placed in the centre of the walled vegetable garden. I enjoyed the tiers of the fountain and the power and grandeur they create, this lead me to look at other references to tiers in the world around us. Tiers are found almost everywhere, from architecture to social hierarchy. The word derives from the French for sequence or order. I could feel that the man made fountain was reflecting the sequences in nature and the garden around it.
I tested different block shapes and sizes until I found blocks I liked for the top and bottom tiers. I stepped away from the fountain shape influence and followed a more rounded, regularly increasing pattern. As I did not have a suitable centre tier block I curated one using wire,
cardboard and tape - a technique shown to us by a tutor. I wanted the hat to mirror the grandeur of the fountain, so chose blocks whose sizewould reflect this.
In experimenting with trimmings I tried different materials which could emote the flow of water. I decided I wanted to create something graphic, mirroring the roundness of the hat and chose a felt covered wire technique to achieve this. I selected a bow to imitate the water flowing down the fountain and added curves down the tails to exaggerate this.
I intended for this hat to be commercially viable but visually striking. Therefore I designed the hat to maximise the capability for manufacturing. I believe the hat is high impact, architectural and graphic.
