Tally Ho
The Feltmakers’ Design Award 2012
The judging for the famous Feltmakers’ competition to design a lady’s hat took place in April at Haberdashers’ Hall. The first prize of £1200 was awarded to Melanie Lewiston from Waltham Forest CLAss for her ‘Tally Ho’.
For more details and the rest of the prizewinners, please click here.
Springtime at Ascot
The Master with the help of her husband, George, organised a sumptuous charity event, which took place at the Pavilion Restaurant at Ascot racecourse at the beginning of May. Large sums were raised for the chosen charities, including the Spinal Injuries Association, and Liverymen and guests were treated to a champagne reception, an excellent lunch, and a fashion show of designer dresses and hats.
For more details and photos, please click here.
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The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers of London
The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers is today the Livery Company of the hatters.
The first reference to Feltmakers is in London in 1180. In 1269 the Cappers became officially established. Hurers made shaggy caps and in 1311 the Hatters were active. The Hurers and Cappers amalgamated with the Hatters and then merged with the powerful Haberdashers in 1502. Many feltmakers were already members of the Haberdashers and, as the Haberdashers controlled the retail outlets and the raw materials, this unification seemed sensible.
Contemporary sketch map showing the site of the original Feltmakers' Hall, which was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666
In 1583 the Feltmakers petitioned Queen Elizabeth I for their own Charter but it was not granted until 1604, when King James I came to the throne. In 1667, King Charles II granted an expanded Charter extending their powers.The Company was granted Livery in 1733, number 63 in order of precedence.
In 1870-74 many famous politicians joined the Feltmakers. Between them four had been Chancellor, two First Lord of the Admiralty, two President of the Board of trade and two Foreign Secretaries.
The hatting trade flourished in the early part of the 20th. century. Twenty-seven Mayors were elected in 1914-18. In 1927 there were 9 Knights on the Feltmakers’ Court. During the second half of the 20th. century, the trade declined. There are now some 170 Feltmakers drawn from the higher ranks of many professions, businesses and trades as well as the hatting industry. The Feltmakers have produced two Lord Mayors and are flourishing again.