The Art Workers’ Guild
Unveiled – The Craft of Millinery
Wednesday 8 – Friday 10 May
London Craft Week returns to the capital for its fifth edition from 8-12 May 2019 and a stroke of luck gifted me an invitation to view an exhibition at The Artworkers Guild in Holborn featuring the diverse skills of some of our best milliners. The focus is on their designs and skills, to give an insight into the particular workings and craftsmanship of each. Curated by leading milliners and Brothers of the Guild, Rachel Trevor Morgan, Edwina Ibbotson and Noel Stewart, the exhibition draws on their experience and knowledge to bring together the best of British millinery, including hats from Stephen Jones, Philip Treacy and Bro. Bridget Bailey. Their aim is to highlight the very special craft of millinery and its varied techniques, both modern and traditional. A working gallery forms part of the exhibition, where you can see hats being made over the three days. There is also a display of winning hats from the annual Feltmakers’ Design Competition.
Included in the week are ticketed talks and demonstrations. For more details, please see the website.
Price: Free admission
Date and time: 8 May 2019, 11am-6pm | 9-10 May 2019, 11am-8pm
Location: The Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
The Milliners on show (photo by Peter Clarke)
By milliner PHILIP TREACY (photo by Peter Clarke)
By milliner RACHEL TREVOR MORGAN (photo by Peter Clarke)
By milliner EDWINA IBBOTSON (photo by Peter Clarke)
By milliner HARVY SANTOS (photo by Peter Clarke)
By milliner NOEL STEWART (photo by Peter Clarke)
Along with the Artworkers Guild who are hosting, the event is supported by Fenwick and the Worshipful Company of Feltmakers.
This really is a little gem of an exhibition with displays showing the workings of each hat at various stages so that visitors can better understand what goes into the craft of millinery.
This is the exhibition’s second year and it was fantastic to see so many guests (and even the catering staff) wearing hats. Some guests wore elegant evening wear and some were in jeans, but hats of all shapes and designs were the stars of the evening and were in abundance from fascinators to pillbox to turbans. Fingers crossed the team at ‘Unveiled’ are back next year when I will definitely adorn myself!
