Wear a Hat Day

When I read in the Hat Magazine that Brain Tumour Research were planning a Wear a Hat Day to raise awareness and funds on the 30th march it was too good an opportunity to miss. Especially as my HNC Millinery students were booked for that day at Wetherby Racecourse to do some pre event PR for their May Ladies day enterprise event. So with the help of the very gifted and talented Visual Communication student Vicky at Leeds College of Art a poster was made to generate some interest for a hat wearing day at the college on the 27th. As it was the first of its kind I was wary about the level of interest, but was pleasantly surprised, we raised over £140 and many took part.

Linda on reception.

As several of my millinery students were at Grazia office hoping to be selected by the lovely milliners Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy as the next new thing, I was fortunate to have the wonderful help of my past students Marie Kay and Beth Hirst and my colleague Sue Carter at Wetherby racecourse on the 30th march.

Sue, Beth & Marie

We had a brilliant day and heard lots of heart rending stories of people who had been affected by the illness, which puts things into perspective. Great fun choosing the best ladies and mens' hat for the day. Margaret who works at the race course had created a Pie and Peas hat from salt dough and blu-tack brilliant and David had been made to wear his ladies hat, he seemed comfortable in it. We raised over £700 thanks to the wonderful racegoers and the brilliant Michelle and Ben at the racecourse.

Keep it Under Your Hat-Great Yorkshire Show

Winning Milliners

Well a trip to the Great Yorkshire Show is always a treat even when its not open yet, and being allowed into the Members Pavilion (even if no one was there and there were no refreshments) even more so. Present were a medley of hat wearing milliners all eagerly awaiting the judging of the inaugural "Keep it Under Your Hat' calendar competition devised to raise money for the brain tumor charity, The PPR Foundation They have a target of a million pounds to raise, which they hope to get a little closer to with the sale of their calendar made up of photos from the 12 hat finalists on show at the Yorkshire Show for the week.

The theme for the competition was Hollywood Glamour of the 1940's and 50's and the hats certainly fitted the brief with some stunning pieces that must have made it difficult for the judges. Wondeful that 9 of the milliners were present and 7 of those were from Yorkshire, 6 with connections to Leeds College of Art! So it was a real Hat Trick for the college when the three winners were all from the college. Sue Carter was overall winner with her stunning caramel brown parisisal, exquisitely rolled edges and that wonderful effortlessness of a good hat, the title too was perfectly chosen 'Miss Otis', a well deserved first prize. Sue's student Karen from the evening classes at Leeds was awarded third prize and yours truly was second. wow! very suprised and much appreciated...

Judging must have been very tricky as there were some delicious hats, Beth Hirst's classic toque with ribbon, looked elegant and truly wearable, Jane Hammill's white cloche and silver fretwork, a must for all Hollywood starlets and Abbie Campbell's pink cut work piece last scene at London Fashion Week was sultry and cheeky and something to covet as was the turquoise one Abbie wore today. New milliner on the block Rosie from Liverpool had a inspirational new fabric that she creates and based her piece on the mushroom Dior shape of the 40's I would have loved this hat.

Beth, Jane and Abbie

The judges press call

centre-Carole Denford of The Hat Mag

It was a lovely few hours at the Yorkshire Show and great to see millinery promoted in a different setting. So if you are lucky enough to be in the Members Enclosure for the next three days have a look or better still book your 2012 Hat Calendar. Hopefully it will inspire you to enter next year. x