-
Wilcox, Turner, The Mode of Hats and Headdresses
-
Laver, James, A Concise History of Costume
- HATalk, a magazine for milliners
Millinery is found in all countries around the world where it is associated with the making of traditional forms of regional headwear or with fashion and occasion wear. The craft was also historically associated with Paris, France: Florence and Montappone in Italy; in the Manobi Province of Ecuador; Czech Republic; Germany; Spain; Portugal; and Russia.
In the UK, Millinery was found in many towns and villages. Historically the trade centre was London with the West End having a large industry of workshops and showrooms. The millinery trade was also associated with larger factories and workshops in Luton, Bedfordshire, Greater Manchester, Warwickshire, Glasgow.
The term millinery is commonly thought to have been introduced in the 1500s, however, the trade of millinery probably predates this since earlier historical records indicate the wearing of fashionable hats, therefore implying some form of production and trade. A precise date for the introduction of Millinery into the UK is unknown but records indicate some form of recognised trade by the early 1500s.
Originally linked to dressmaking and the trimming or decoration of women’s hats, during the 1800s millinery developed into a more organised trade centred in London with connections to Luton. The milliners would either buy the materials to make a hat or buy ready-made hats to trim. Milliners were found in most cities and large towns around the UK. Materials were purchased from travelling salesmen or from the hat centres of Luton, Greater Manchester, Glasgow, or London. Designs were provided by fashion plates, Ladies’ magazines, and close observation of fashion trends in Paris.
In the mid 1800s London had become a major UK centre. Many companies were based in the City of London, at Barbican. This area was close to the haberdashery centre of Wood Street. There was also a trade for fabric hats in the East End of London and a developing centre in the West End of London close to Soho. By the early 1900s, besides the larger London millinery companies and independent milliners, newly introduced department stores established millinery departments. A Board of Trade Enquiry found there were approximately 11,000 milliners working in London. Several investigations into the London millinery trade in the early 1900s found cases of low pay, long hours and reported on the difficulties created by the seasonality of the trade. The reports indicate how varied the work of a milliner was, how many skills and techniques she needed to learn and how quickly she had to adapt, often through the provision of apprenticeships.
The millinery trade had grown to the extent that it introduced an association in the 1930s, the Millinery Distributors Association which largely dealt with the wholesale side. The West End trade continued to grow and milliners, such as Aage Thaarup, Rudolf, Otto Lucas, Simone Mirman, through their celebrity and connections to the Royal Family, created new interest and growth of the millinery trade. They were to provide the training for the next generation of great milliners such as John Boyd, Freddie Fox, Graham Smith, Mitzi Lorenz, Shirley Hex, Rose Cory and Philip Somerville, who in turn provided the training ground for many of today’s top UK milliners.
This increased interest and its links to fashion and the Royal Family created demand within the retail and wholesale markets where the new designs were quickly copied. As early as the 1890s the larger Luton hat manufacturing companies had recognised a loss of trade to the London millinery centres and began to bring millinery into the factories, meaning they could market a finished hat to the trade. Many of the Luton companies also had millinery departments and factories in London where they formed the wholesale side of the trade.
By the 1960-80s several large Luton companies such as Paul Walser, Wooley Sanders, Connor, Bermona, Marida and Kangol thrived thanks entirely to the millinery trade. Today most of the remaining hat manufacturers in Luton describe themselves as milliners as well as hat manufacturers.
Currently most milliners work independently or employ a small number of workers. Many of the country’s most famous milliners are working in London. Some work with Paris couture houses creating new trends which are copied by others. Whilst some have small workrooms employing assistants, most work alone needing to be multiskilled in all aspects of the trade. The complaints recorded one hundred years ago remain amongst today’s milliners: poor pay, long hours and the seasonality of the trade. The skills and heritage contained within today’s UK milliners means they are highly respected and still regarded as a source of inspiration around the world. Millinery courses offered in the UK are in high demand due to the quality of teaching and the UK’s millinery heritage.
There is an association between hats and headwear made for a variety of UK festivals and celebrations, but these are often made outside the millinery trade although milliners do receive commissions. Reproductions are currently made by Milliners working in the Theatre/TV/Film industries.
Hats and headwear are extensively worn as a requirement of many religions found in the UK. The wearing of a hat is still considered correct by some sections of society when attending religious occasions. The wearing of suitable hats and headwear are considered as a requirement for many UK social occasions, such as Royal Ascot, weddings, etc. The wearing of hats is still considered a requirement for many Royal occasions.
Historically the UK has had a large and very reputable hat manufacturing industry, until in the 1990s it was badly affected by cheap imports, primarily from China. The Far East had for many years been supplying the UK with raw materials, however in the early 1990s they began to produce and export finished hats at far lower prices than the UK could possibly match. The sudden drop in demand for the more expensive UK-produced hats caused, over the next 10 years, the collapse of many companies. At the same time the retail side of the trade was affected by unreasonably high rents. This still affects companies and independent milliners.
However, due to the talent and tenacity of the British, the UK has since become the world’s leader of high fashion, particularly in millinery, with exquisite designs, made in small ateliers and workshops. Today, some of the country’s top designers work for major European couture houses, Stephen Jones for Dior, Philip Treacy for Valentino in Italy.
What needs to be done to make it viable?
Supply of raw materials: It is still possible to buy the imported supplies required to make hats, but prices have risen and the range of products reduced over the years. Currently there is a concern about the effects of the pandemic and Brexit on supplies. Some of the UK allied trades are under threat and if they fail it may badly affect millinery supplies.
Covid 19: During the pandemic there has been a complete shutdown of factories and ateliers across the country. Many smaller milliners, makers and factories are in dire need of work and support. And one of our largest manufacturers Olney Headwear, closed completely in December 2020.
There is never a lack of demand for headwear and the demand for learning millinery skills never ceases, whether it is for everyday or special occasion headwear. There are a wide variety of opportunities for learning including regular classes for millinery/hat making and online learning.
There are several prestigious and highly respected colleges offering a range of courses in the UK. Their tutors include some of the country’s top experts.
Businesses that employ two or more makers:
Status: Whilst millinery is not considered endangered, there are some aspects of millinery and hat making that are under threat. The larger factories are declining at a rapid rate and the smaller designers and ateliers are becoming endangered. There is a lack of students entering the trade and a lack of work-based training for hat makers.
Become a Heritage Crafts Fan and receive a free monthly newsletter about craft announcements, events and opportunities.
Subscribe