William Horsman admires the 2nd prizewinner

The panel of judges was headed by William Horsman ably assisted by Eda Rose-Lawson, Rachel Trevor Morgan, Yvette Jelfs, Carole Denford from The Hat Magazine, Dillon Wallwork - Design Consultant at Philip Somerville, Geoffrey Vero - Master of the Feltmakers, Major Jollyon Coombs, Clerk to the Feltmakers, and myself. At the end of the judging we were joined by the Lady Mayoress, Mrs David Lewis, accompanied by Mrs Ian Luder and Mrs Michael Bear, wives of Aldermen and Sherriffs, to discuss the work the judges had seen. 

The first prize of £1,000 was awarded to Paul Stafford from Kensington and Chelsea School of Art. Paul had made a beautiful headpiece of flowers and leaves in black felt discreetly ornamented with diamante.

The second prize of £500 went to Svenja Otten from Munster, Germany. The top of the crown of Svenja’s white and black felt hat was decorated with a cameo also made of felt. 

Judges: Yvette Jelfs, Rachel Trevor-Morgan, Bill Horsman, Eda Rose-Lawson, Freddie Fox, The Lady Mayoress, Mrs. Lin Luder, Carole Denford, Mrs Barbara Bear, Master Feltmaker, our model - Jasmine, Dillon Wallwork

The £250 third prize was won by Nankyu Park - Kensington and Chelsea School of Art. Nankyu had made a beret in royal blue felt lined with orange, the orange being made visible through slashes in the felt.

Mrs Lin Luder tries on the Craftsmanship prizewinner

Four further prizes of £100 were awarded to each of the following students:- 

• The Craftsmanship Award went to Olivia Roht - Kensington and Chelsea School of Art for a headpiece of wired leaves decorated with stones.
• The Commercial Appeal Award was won by Sue Carter from Huddersfield Creative Studies for a grey felt cloche with contrasting underbrim which was visible through slashes in the brim
• Artwork and Presentation Award went to Bianca Harrington - Kensington and Chelsea School of Art for a white felt alice band trimmed with twists of beige and stone felt.
• The Innovative Use of Felt Award was deservedly given to Emma Clark - Kensington and Chelsea School of Art for her gossamer white felt blown on to pale grey crin.

Innovative use of felt

Paul Stafford, the winner of the first prize was a guest at the Feltmakers’ Ladies Banquet at the Mansion House where he received his award. We were told he intends to continue his career in millinery when he finishes his studies.

Fredrick Fox