Katherine Elizabeth, London-


based milliner and founder of the Millinery and Business Academy,


has recently hosted another of her free hat making challenges.


This latest challenge, called ‘wearable art’, was inspired by Wassily Kandinsky who is generally credited as being one of the pioneers of abstract painting. Born in Russia in 1866, Kandinsky loved music and could play the cello and piano. He literally saw colours when he heard music and heard music when he painted - a rare condition known as synaesthesia. He aimed to create art that had a spiritual resonance for the viewer and believed that colour could independently express ideas and evoke emotions.


Olga Runcie


Katherine says, “I’ve always had a deep love for art and enjoy drawing inspiration from a wide range of artists. Kandinsky’s work really resonates with me. His use of bold shapes, dynamic compositions, and expressive colour is wonderful. I felt his paintings would spark creativity in others too. Many of his abstract forms can be reimagined as sculptural hats, whilst his brushstrokes lend themselves beautifully to details like quills and feathers. I’m especially drawn to abstract and architectural styles, and his work naturally embodies that aesthetic.”


The Kandinsky theme was very popular and saw great engagement on Facebook, where the live challenge videos drew a large audience. 1200 people signed up (a record number) for the competition, with 105 makers completing and entering their hats. The variety and quality of entries was exceptional, leaving Katherine wishing she could have handed out many more prizes.


HATalk | APR 2026


“The standard was absolutely incredible.” Katherine says. “I was genuinely blown away by the level of talent in the group. Even those who were completely new to millinery produced such impressive work. Choosing the winners was honestly very difficult, as there were so many outstanding designs and creative individuals.”


Rachel Margetts


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