Fenwicks Hat - Update

Well, I did it. I delivered a hat to college on Tuesday morning before work to be viewed by the millinery buyer from Fenwicks (as discussed in this post). I’m so glad I re-made it – the little changes and little lessons I learned making it have produced a far superior hat to the original. I got some photos last night and I’ll put them up when I get home.

And now I’m waiting. I can barely think of anything else, I’m so nervous! All weekend I was fairly blasé about whether it got picked or not, but in the light of a new day it feels like I’ve left my soul on that table for someone to examine and accept or reject.

The other hats were AMAZING! Nothing like my little topper at all – mostly pastel colours, almost all made from sinamay. I’d have loved to have worn any one of them. There was a great selection of fascinators and full hats, some small and some HUGE. It’ll be really interesting to go to Fenwicks when the selection are displayed to see which of the hats made it.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me. I’ll let you know as soon as I find out...





Update: I heard back today - the hat hasn't been chosen. It was well received, but not what Fenwicks were looking for - it's not in line with their image and that sort of thing. A really good learning experience for me and I know what to go for next year.

Oh to have a hat for sale on Bond Street...

I received an invitation from Kensington & Chelsea College last week to submit a hat for selection by Fenwicks of Bond Street’s millinery buyer for sale or return at Fenwicks.

I find this really exciting as this was how I found out about the course I’ve just finished. I saw a note in Metro about the display in Fenwicks of student work, went to see it and was so impressed I applied for the course the next day. I dreamed at the time of one of my hats being there on show a in a subsequent display. Imagine if that could happen one short year later!

Now, there’s 2 problems. One is that the selection will be made on the 4th. I’m away at scout camp all weekend so that means I’ll have to deliver my hat by Friday this week! The second is which hat to sell? They suggest unusual without being quirky or weird. The sort of hat a lady can wear to Ascot or a wedding or a society event. Something that takes in current trends yet also stands out.

There’s only one piece that can meet these criteria. The coursework hat. But to be honest, the one I made may be my pride and joy, but it’s just not good enough for Fenwicks. There’s a few little glitches and imperfections that make it not quite good enough to sell.

So this weekend I started blocking a copy. But with differences. So it’s better. I’m going to have the opening at the front rather than the back so it’s more visible. And it’s going to be a little deeper and less tall to let a little more light in. I’ve stiffened the felt a lot more so it’s more structured and strong. And I’m going to support the shape all the way around with the wire so it holds better. I’m also going to do the mirrors differently, but I’m not 100% sure what I mean by that.

Well, I blocked the crown three times this weekend. I just can’t do it perfectly enough. But I think I’m mostly there now. My husband’s been amazing and said he’ll do all the shopping and cooking so I can get it done. I’m very excited but very very scared.