Hats

The beautiful Audrey in her (almost as beautiful) ascot hat.

Our GCSE exam for textiles was probably the most exciting exam that I had back then, there were a few basic questions on the manufacture of textiles, then a section where you got to design (and colour) something along a predetermined theme.

The theme we were given was "hats" I thought this was a bit limited at first, with the mood board they had given us based around police hats, old fashioned hats etc.Instead I focused entirely on millinery, looking at the feathers, shapes and fabrics used to create stylish and timeless hats. I came up with my design before the exam so that I could translate it straight onto the page and not forget anything at all.

I left the exam quite disappointed that I would never get to make this, due to two reasons: time and money.

The bodice is supposed to be made from hand-dyed silk lined sinamay (the straw like fabric used for hats) And the skirts from stiffened calico with organza and silk underskirts dyed red. Then over the skirt there would be a layer of black widow's knotted veil, with various red feathers protruding from it. I originally designed it to have a zip, but now I look back I think a lcae-up back would be much more elegant.

Maybe I will make it one day.

(also you may notice that the colours match my room, which I had newly decorated, there is a strong red/black/cream theme in all my work)