This years’ Feltmakers’ Design Award judging took place at Haberdashers Hall on 27^th April. We had a good many entries from the UK as well as some European entries. There were over 35 entries in all from students, apprentices and new start-ups.

Judging the entries were milliners Rachel Trevor Morgan, Edwina Ibbotson, Eda Rose Lawson and Noel Stewart. Designer and manufacturer Ian Wright and retired manufacturer William Horsman.  Journalists Hilary Alexander OBE and Carole Denford, former editor of the Hat Magazine.

We were joined by the Lady Mayoress Mrs Samantha Bowman and the Sheriffs consorts, Fiona Adler and Emma Redcliffe, who arrived in time to witness the final judging and debate. Sadly the Master was not able to attend due to his commitments in court but we were pleased to be joined by his wife Jane, as well as the company clerk, Major Jollyon Coombs.

This years First Prize went to Elizabeth Yates who is a new start up milliner and former student of Kensington and Chelsea College. Her Design was contemporary and striking, an adaptable headpiece designed to work with different situations. Strips of grey felt edged in rainbow colours that were riveted together and fanned out to create many different looks. Elizabeth said ‘with each click of the magnets you the wearer decide how you look’ It was a very flattering and simple design, the judges agreed that they had not seen anything like it before. She will receive a cheque for £1200.

The Second Prize went to Olivia Dugmore from Northampton College. ‘Angel Wings’ was sculpted out of burnt felt and finished with gilded feathers. It was a mythical design representing good versus evil wings. She will receive a cheque for £600.

The Third Prize went to Christopher Julian Garner, also a new start-up  who formerly studied at London College of Fashion. His entry ‘Lucky Fish’ was a beautiful felt pillbox with Swarovski. This piece was well made and well balanced. He will receive a cheque for £450.

The Craftmanship prize was won by Lily Thomson from Kensington and Chelsea College. Inspired by the artwork of Georgia O’Keefe. Her sheep scull was a work of art. We all admired her incredible craftsmanship. The felt has been soldered, gilded, and stitched to make the finish so realistic that it was like looking at real bones. She will receive a cheque for £200.

The Commercial Appeal Prize was won by Elise Gustilo who created a very wearable and beautiful piece using fanned felt on a small pillbox base. This was a well balanced and flattering. She will receive a cheque for £200.

The prize for Artwork and Presentation was won by Lucy Todd from Northampton College. It was beautifully presented and well thought out. Her hat ‘Procyon’ was beautifully crafted with black and white layered laser cut petals. She will receive a cheque for £200.

The innovative use of felt prize went to Louise Clarke who has been learning millinery with Phillippa Eyland –Gentle. So much work has gone into her extraordinary ‘Autumn Headpiece’ inspired by nature and the natural world with horse chestn

ut made from needle felt and a beautiful hand embroidered butterfly.  She will receive a cheque for £200.

It was a very good day made all the better for the kind hospitality of The Haberdashers Hall and their staff. Thank you also to our model for the morning, Jelena who modelled the hats beautifully and to Carol Denford for the photography.

Rachel Trevor Morgan