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Hello!

Welcome to by shop. My name is Ilona, and I make hats.

Each hat is carefully hand crafted using vintage millinery techniques. My designs embody effortless style and are perfect for everyday wear, and special occasions. See my process on YouTube.

I specialise in buckram base hats covered in natural fabrics including silk velvet. I also create vintage inspired shapes using traditional wool felt or modern sinamay or jinsin (a material made from banana palm). I prefer to source vintage trims and strive to use my materials in an economic way to reduce waste and my environmental impact. I am inspired by feeling fabrics, and when I am designing I let the fabric talk to me and reveal what shape it wants to take.

Credits

Exhibitor: Top Drawer, Kensington OlympiaJanuary 2024

Exhibitor: Country Living Christmas Fair, Business Design CentreNovember 2023

Pop-up Shop: Picadilly, LondonAugust & December 2023

Exhibitor: Signature Wedding Show, WembleyMarch 2023

Pop-up Shop: New Bond Street, LondonDecember 2022

Exhibitor: London Accessory Week, ChelseaJuly 2022

Qualifications

London Hat Week: Fantastic Feathers Masterclass with Carole Maher – 2022

London Hat Week: From Hank toΒ Hat: Stitching Straw Braid Masterclass with Lucy Barlow – 2022

Morley College (formerly Kensington & Chelsea College): City & Guilds Millinery Level 2 (Distinction) – 2021

University of the Arts London: Fashion History the Evolution of Style with Amber Butchart – 2021

London Hat Week: Biased, Swirled and Freeform Sinamation Masterclass with Lina Stein – 2019

Central Saint Martins: Vintage Millinery with Judy Bentinck and Tina Giuntini2018

London Hat Week: Wire Frame Hats, Milliner’s Ribbon & Hatpins with Leanne Fredrick – 2018

University of Westminster: Bachelor of Arts Graphic Communication Design (With First Class Honours) – 2016

Other Endeavours

Recipes & Sewing: www.ilona.me.uk/

Graphic Design & Art: www.ilona.graphics/

Boogie Woogie & Balboa Dance: www.matthewandilona.com/