INSPIRATION
materials. It definitely helped me to develop my own style, which is predominately 1940s and 1950s inspired. I really like the juxtaposition of vintage and innovative contemporary materials.”
“What interests me in the designing process is the creativity that you get from the strengths from the materials. They push your imagination forward. Thermoplastics, for example, provide some structural integrity that regular materials don’t have, so your creativity can go a little bit further – beyond the limitations of regular millinery
Right from the start, Carole started teaching how to work with her new- found materials. “I encourage students to make their own designs when they are in my classes. I expect that once they know how to use a material or technique, they want to go off and create their own unique hat or headpiece. It’s my goal to get everybody’s own creativity started. And it works. Quite often students don’t copy the examples I brought with me, but have an aha moment when they realise the potential the materials offer in their creative process. They start thinking what they would use it for and let their imagination go wild. That’s very satisfying.”
www.carolemaher.com
missing piece of the puzzle for how he would use the pheasant feathers in a 3D formation. This sketch went on to inspire the award-winning piece and print for a dress.
For Ian the transformation from the sketch to the realisation of the piece is very close, and he is quite strict in this regard. Such a focussed approach keeps things clear for all and also helps his relationship with clients as he creates one-off pieces. Recently exploring the use of an iPad to sketch the design for clients, he has found it a useful tool, as he can easily send a copy of the image.
Ian has worked from his home studio for the last couple of years but recently opened a store in Victoria, London. He will showcase his silk top hats and custom-made occasionwear with a space for teaching. Moving to a shop front again will mean that the customers have the opportunity to try on styles, but communication through sketching will still exist.
shape as they form. “Flowers inspire me a lot but it is never intentional. If you are always open to things, it comes much easier for me; if you try looking for things, it feels forced.”
Having started the concept for his winning pheasant-feather firework piece many years ago, it wasn’t until 2016 that he put the final pieces of the puzzle together. “These ideas sometimes sit there for several years. It’s almost like this is part two of the puzzle that is missing. The idea is there, but it’s not quite formulated enough.” He was working on creating sketches for what had intended to be a calendar. In the exploration of fireworks for Bonfire Night for the November image, Ian had found the
As for the evolution of the design and making skills, Ian says: “Over time with knowledge of making comes the ability. All those years I could design stuff but I didn’t know how to make it. I think that your design ability meets your making ability somewhere down the road. You never stop designing those way-out things, but you design them in a way you can create them.”
www.instagram.com/ianbennetthats
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