REPORT
Concrete shapes Maja Svensson
Swedish milliner Maja Svensson first explored concrete as a block while preparing for the Hattember millinery competition. Inspired
by the idea of a balloon heart headpiece, she set out to find a way to bring her vision to life. “I think millinery is often about problem-solving – to find a way to make that vision in your head come to life,” she explains. After searching local shops, she discovered a concrete heart ornament that was the right size and solid enough to block on. Since beginning her millinery
blocks can be used to shape sinamay, felt and fabric, withstanding repeated steaming and heat. Claire’s early exposure to the material came during her degree and a placement at Robert Allsopp and Associates, a renowned costume effects studio. In 2007, before cosplay popularised foam fabrication, she was already using plastazote to build sports mascots and theatrical props. Today, her hybrid approach
combines the precision of CAD with the versatility of an alternative blocking material, providing a platform to experiment with line and form before realising it in three dimensions.
More information
www.clairestrickland. com/2011/01/30/what-is- plastazote-and-how-do-i- use-it
journey in 2015, Maja has continually looked out for hat blocks. Vintage ones are scarce in Sweden, and new blocks generally need to be ordered from abroad. During classes in the UK, she learned that milliners sometimes improvise with everyday items such as wooden bowls or trays. As pins cannot be inserted into
concrete, Maja wraps the block in plastic film and uses string to hold the straw in place while it dries. “Just like when you use wood hat blocks, you improve the blocking technique over time,” she notes. The heart-shaped block has now been used several times and remains in excellent condition. “One very good thing about concrete is that it doesn’t really wear,” she says. To prevent cracking or brittleness, she always covers the surface with plastic film to protect it from damp. Eager to experiment and
expand her creative process, Maja continues to keep an eye out for unusual shapes and moulds that could serve as unique hat blocks.
More information
www.majasmilliner.com
Block stacking
Block stacking is a creative technique that enables milliners to design new forms by combining existing blocks in inventive ways. There are no fixed rules – only imagination and a willingness to experiment. Shapes can be placed upright, upside down or at unexpected angles, challenging your resourcefulness as you build up a silhouette. Blocks may be temporarily secured using sticky tape, Velcro or any other method that keeps the top shape in place during construction. Milliner Lina Stein champions this
approach, noting: “Block stacking is something for everyone, especially for those with a limited supply of blocks in their collection.”
november 2025 | 55
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