Felted Magical Mystery Hats Exhibition
Luton, one of the main homes of hat-making, has a permanent display at its Wardown Park Museum which focuses on the hat-making industry, but currently, they are also mounting a special exhibition on felt hat making, with assistance from this livery company.
Mad hatters, top hats, white rabbits and beavers all feature in an exciting exhibition celebrating the extraordinary world of felt hat making. From fleece or fur to finished hats, this exhibition showcases inspirational winning hats from the 2010 Design Award Competition of The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers of London.
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The Feltmakers’ Banquet 2010
Drapers' Hall - The magnificent venue for this year's Feltmakers' Banquet
Our banquet is usually held at the Mansion House, but this year the Master decided on a change of venue and a splendid evening was enjoyed by liverymen and their guests at Drapers’ Hall, in the company of the Lord and Lady Mayoress. Click here to find out more.
Official photographs taken that evening are available to view, and may also be ordered, online. Click here for details.
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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.
- The historic Wren church, St. Stephen Walbrook, welcomed Liverymen, their families and friends for the annual carol service in 2009
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.