Design

Oh how i love the design stage!

I have just bought some cheap fabric to play with and make up some soft hats. I have no idea how its going to turn out but tomorrow will be my day of playing so expect an update tomorrow

New adventure in millinery

After spending the last few years making bespoke pieces and pieces that i just wanted to make, the time has come to branch out and to develop a RTW collection for Men and Women

I am hoping to launch a collection for AW13 consisting of felt hats with ostrich fronds and crystals for ladies, and mens to be trimmed with a bespoke print.

I will be documenting my journey as i go from design and prototype to finding a manufacturer and promoting the collection

Heres to the future!

Rope, rope, rope!

I have been ill recently and have not been doing much millinery, but after reading about an exhibition my old tutor had created, i read that there were some hats from Justin Smith, who i admire. He created a collection from one material - denim. This got me thinking, how could i create a collection using one material only. I have lots of fabric, lots of feathers etc but i came across a few reels of thin rope and wondered what i can do?

I even managed to incorporate some wearable LEDs into one piece - the last two pictures show it with the LEDs included

Revamping

After going through hat boxes, sorting out pieces to store i came across pieces which needed finishing. These were just felt that had been blocked but not finished or trimmed. So i wondered what to do with them. Earlier in the day i had been reading one of my tutors blogs who does a lot with machine embroidery and wondered if i could do anything with that (although one piece already had some embroidery on it!)

So here is where i am now - and i even have started sewing beads and stones to the hats.

All three pieces

Pink felt with swarovski crystals and rose quartz

Nipped in Pillbox

Wavy form with blue stitching

Wearable technology

In my final collection, i used a little known about electronic system called Lilypad. Its a series of small electronic pieces that you can combine with textiles to produce clothing which does things. It does very basic stuff (LEDs, buzzers etc) but with experimentation, you could do a whole bunch of stuff.

I wasn't happy with my final collection, well how it turned out, however i was happy with what i had achieved in the timescales (i changed my focus half way through and had to quickly put together my collection)

Final collection hat in progress

But now i have more time, i feel that its now the right time to revisit this idea. I am unsure as to how i can and will work with it but its sometime for sure i will try and master. I have also been getting excited about EL wire (see it in action here and here). I have some amazing ideas to test out on my return from my jollies.

So after this post, I'm heading to the studio (aka my conservatory) and I'm going to try and figure out what to do. Ill post my findings later!

Workshops

Workshops are now available from Quinnell-Hill Millinery check out my website for more details

Studio Day

Been working in my studio today and while i have plenty of things to do, i couldn't resist making a few new things. S/S13 perhaps?

Grazia Hat competition

Well after stumbling across this competition, i think i will enter. After all its judged by two of the worlds leading milliners - Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy!!!! 

The brief is as follows:

On Friday 30 March at 9.30am, Grazia magazine is launching Hat Factor, a major UK fashion talent search to find the UK’s next big millinery star. The winner will have his or her design showcased on a global scale. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a key role in the Cultural Olympiad, a series of events to celebrate the Olympics.

To enter you can be a fashion student, a milliner or a designer who’s just starting out. On the day, bring your designs to the offices of Grazia, and show them before a judging panel of Grazia editors, the UK’s top milliners Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones and industry experts. Come along and show us what you can do – it’s all about demonstrating your own creativity, skill and imagination!

Doesn't leave much to work with, but as this is for the olympics, i was thinking something along the lines of the olympic rings? Or is that too predictable?

You can find out more info on the Grazia website

Stephen Jones - Show studio - Download

After chancing across a pattern by Stephen Jones, which is featured on the Show Studio website, i thought id give it a go.






I used a taffeta type fabric for my first attempt but once made up it just seems so floppy - i could put some more darts in to make it more stiff??



























Here is the second attempt. I used a thicker cotton in a toile de jouy. It still seems very limp though?? Any ideas?




My tutor has made a beautiful version from silk - look here

Welcome

Quinnell-Hill Millinery offers the finest millinery made with quality materials and made to a couture finish 

Daring, original and innovative, Quinnell-Hill Millinery will strive to ensure you get a headpiece or hat which is an extension of both your personality and outfit.

I will be using this blog as a platform to promote my work as well as the millinery industry - and maybe a few random other things as well!