Following up from Balenciaga Exhibition Review video from two weeks ago, I’m looking at some milliners who were mentioned in the catalogue as working with Balenciaga. I’m illustrating their hats, as drawing is a good way to understand a design. This is part 2 of 2 videos, please watch part 1 for a fuller picture. Drawing other people’s hats is a learning opportunity. Once you’ve drawn a hat and thought about how it could have been made, leave it there – do NOT copy it and sell it as your own design. Please do NOT copy other people’s work and […]
Read MoreVintage Millinery Fashion Illustration Part 1
Following up from last week’s Balenciaga Exhibition Review, I’m looking at some milliners who were mentioned in the catalogue as working with Balenciaga. I’m illustrating their hats, as drawing is a good way to understand a design. Drawing other people’s hats is a learning opportunity. Once you’ve drawn a hat and thought about how it could have been made, leave it there – do NOT copy it and sell it as your own design. Please do NOT copy other people’s work and carry it off as your own.
Read MoreBalenciaga The Elegance of the Hat | Vintage millinery review
This week I’ve finally got my hands on the exhibition catalogue for Balenciaga: The Elegance of the Hat. This exhibition is on at the Museo del Disseny in Barcelona during these dates: 17 / 06 / 2021 – 03 / 10 / 2021. It features hats by Cristobal Balenciaga and this is my review of the items on display – specifically all the green hats! I also give a brief biography of Balenciaga.
Read MoreWhat’s in my bag: Tools for Millinery Blocking
In this video I’m going through all the tools in my blocking toolbox as well as all the other tools associated with millinery blocking. Please keep in mind, these are my preferred tools. You might not have these and this by no means is the absolute definitive list of what you must have! Perhaps I’m missing something that you think is absolutely essential, or maybe I’ve given you an idea about something you might now like to acquire. If that’s the case, please be kind, and let me know in the comments.
Read MoreHow to restore a vintage hat & who is the milliner Edna Wallace
In this video I am showing my process when freshening and restoring a vintage hat. This particular Edna Wallace hat was only slightly dented and needed a minimum amount of work. I’ve looking into who Edna Wallace was and even found out her business address for my first every “location shoot”. If anyone has any more information on Edna Wallace please get in touch!
Read MorePetersham ribbon felt hat edge bind finish
In this video I am demonstrating how to finish off the edge of a wired felt hat by binding it in a curved petersham ribbon. Because I’m sewing on a felt hat, I have also shown how to wax thread. You can apply this technique to any kind of hat with a wired edge; such as straw or buckram. This is a finish I have seen on countless vintage hats and I find it rather lovely, and I hope you do to! → Tools & Materials 1 ← Thread Scissors Beeswax Plain paper (or newspaper) Iron → Tools & Materials […]
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