{"id":183,"date":"2015-09-02T16:04:07","date_gmt":"2015-09-02T15:04:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/insider.utelier.com\/?post_type=features&p=183"},"modified":"2024-02-19T15:48:23","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T15:48:23","slug":"joanne-edwards-millinery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fashioninsiders.co\/features\/designer-interviews\/joanne-edwards-millinery\/","title":{"rendered":"Joanne Edwards Millinery: Getting Ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"
She \u2018dresses the head\u2019 using specialist skills developed from her chosen studies and from working with experts such as Edwina Ibbotson<\/a>, to create ready-to-wear collections, bridal designs and bespoke headpieces. She spoke to Utelier about her journey in fashion.<\/p>\n As a child, I loved drawing, sewing and crafting. I would nag my mother to buy bags of scrap material, which were sold off for 50p at the local bridal shops, and would make all sorts of things! I then began to fill little notebooks with sketches of dresses.<\/p>\n After leaving school, I completed a BTEC in Art & Design at Limavady College of Further and Higher Education in Northern Ireland, then specialised in Fashion Design and got my degree at the National College of Art & Design<\/a> in Dublin.<\/p>\n After that, I travelled to London to pursue two weeks of work experience with French Connection<\/a>, who then hired me, and I’ve remained in London ever since!<\/p>\n I had worked in the fashion industry for several years and had been designing occasion dresses and bridal wear, which I really enjoyed. However, I wanted to get back to making things with my hands, and I had a strong desire to become skilled in some sort of handcraft, so I signed up for various courses.<\/p>\n Millinery fit perfectly with my previous experience in fashion design, and I loved the idea that I could now design and hand make something for the head that would complement an entire outfit, and the special occasion where it would be worn.<\/p>\n 1. Patience: making a handmade hat in its traditional form requires many hours of handwork and sewing!<\/p>\n 2. An eye for design, colour, shape and form.<\/p>\n 3. The ability to understand a client\u2019s needs, and the occasion for which they require a hat, is integral to providing a bespoke service, as I can create a style that will enhance a client\u2019s chosen outfit.<\/p>\n 4. Being able to guide clients towards styles that suit them, taking into account their frame, face shape, outfit, and occasion. I really love this process due to my fashion background. I love to see a client\u2019s entire outfit come together with the enhancement of a bespoke hat.<\/p>\n 5. I think that you also really need to care about people and want to do your absolute best for them. You are providing a service and it’s up to you to make the client look and feel fabulous at their special occasion. Creating a bespoke headpiece, say for a bride, is a huge responsibility and a privilege.<\/p>\n Finding ways to keep a seasonal business going during the quieter months is incredibly challenging. I love to be involved in fashion design work alongside millinery to ensure that I\u2019m always working on a project, so I seek out collaborations with fashion brands<\/a> and undertake freelance projects.<\/p>\nTell us about what led you to become a fashion designer<\/h3>\n
What attracted you to headwear design?<\/h3>\n
What skills does one need in order to be a milliner?<\/h3>\n
It might be assumed that most of your business is during wedding season and around events like Royal Ascot, but you run a successful business year-round. How do you make your fashion business work?<\/h3>\n