Fashion
With a celebrity client list boasting big names such as Christina Aguilera and Girls Aloud, Emma Fielden is a milliner in demand. Here, she tells Waterfront about collaborative creations and unusual requests
I
f you haven’t yet seen Emma Fielden’s designs you could be forgiven for thinking that shoes were still the ultimate object of desire in women’s fashion. But take a
look through her stunningly beautiful AW2013 collection and you will realise that, amazingly, there does exist a longing more powerful than the lust for Laboutins. Emma has been a milliner for over thirteen years having started out as a fashion student at Art College and it is here that her love for hat-making has its origins. Talking about her early days in the industry, Emma explains, “I quickly realised that I really enjoyed working three dimensionally. I liked the sculptural aspect of millinery so after leaving Art College I worked for other milliners for a while. Te next logical step was to start my own label.” Having made this next step, Emma began to build her brand and was invited to design a collection for Harrods. “I contacted them directly, sending them pictures of my work” she recalls, “I was then asked to design a capsule collection specifically for them, the theme of which was Harrods in Bloom, which they displayed in their windows. Tey also held a catwalk show for which I was asked to illustrate the invitations.” Tis recollection really exemplifies the artistic nature that sets Emma apart from other milliners. In fact, Emma actually describes in a very creative manner, thoughtfully explaining that she sees herself “not just as a milliner but as an artist.” Te blurring of the line between designer and
artist is something that Emma has actively explored in various collaborative efforts with other creatives. One such collaboration was a project entitled ‘Te Female Under Heaven’, where Emma worked with artist Alex Harrap to bring to life a character from
one of his artworks. Te character, an amazing Goddess-like woman wears an extraordinary headdress with an owl at the centre and the feathers of a peacock fanning around it. Emma recreated this magnificent piece using Perspex, feathers and hand beaded crystals to represent the eyes of the bird. When asked what it was like to adapt a piece of artwork into a work of fashion, Emma explains, “I had an idea in my head of presenting the collection as a story, each scene reflecting the feel of the pieces, the characters playing out their fantasy alter egos. I worked closely with Alex and the stylist, Clary Fisher. Together we created an imaginary world. Collaborating with other artists is something I see happening regularly. It brings a whole new dimension to my work.” Looking at the breath-taking selection of pieces in Emma’s latest collection one is able to pick up on multiple dimensions, another reason why her creations are regarded above those of other milliners. Te structural aspect Emma admits to liking so much is clear to see in the shape and flow of her headpieces and the variety of textures and colours she uses in their creation. When asked what inspires her, she explains, “Inspiration can strike from anywhere. It could be a film, music, an image I’ve seen somewhere. I always have a theme for each collection, which is a good starting point, working from mood boards. Tis gives an overall
direction and coherency to the collection.” As well as her collections, Emma also receives
requests to work on a variety of other projects. With her unique style and creative viewpoint it is unsurprising that she is called upon to design hats for more off the wall ventures. Talking about the more bizarre requests that she has received, Emma muses, “I think the most unusual request I’ve ever had was the recent commission called Hatwalk for London 2012 Festival, where alongside twenty other milliners, I was asked to make a hat for a statue. I sainted Shakespeare, making him a giant mirrored Perspex halo, adorned with Swarovski crystals!” Tere is no challenge, it seems, that Emma
will not tackle and no headpiece that she cannot make. “I have an idea to present my work as a short film,” she reveals. “Hopefully this will come to fruition next year. And, above all, I want to keep on developing as an artist and creating beautiful pieces.” With such a unique style as a milliner and as an artist, Emma will, without doubt, achieve this ambition and creative collections that tempt and tantalise for years to come.
For more information visit
www.emmafielden.co.uk
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