Hawthorne

In every collection I launch, I honour the trade of millinery by including a restored vintage hat.

This restoration was the blue base and tulle hat, that came with the label of ALEX, California. 

The hat came to me from my friend, Sarah, from her mum's collection of hats. 

I carefully removed the tulle and after reshaping the base, re-attached the tulle to create a unique flowing form, attaching it to double covered wire. 

I complimented this with the modern millinery technique of buntal trimming (a personal favourite) and the result honours not only our trade, and the milliners of the past, but also honours life. 

Di's family property was called "Hawthorne."

Di has dementia, so the stories of the hat's outings stay with her, but the hat itself, named "Hawthorne" now has another chapter to tell.