ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE
KATHERINE ELIZABETH MILLINERY
WITH STUNNING DESIGNS THAT HAVE FEATURED UNDER SOME OF FASHION’ S GREATEST SPOTLIGHTS, KENT-BASED MILLINER KATHERINE ELIZABETH DAZZLES WITH HER BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED HATS AND INCREDIBLE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT INSPIRE FELLOW MILLINERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
Can you tell us about your journey into millinery? Creativity has always shaped my path. As a child I loved drawing and making things, and by the age of eight I was telling my father I would become a fashion designer- long before I discovered millinery. After studying art at college, I specialised in fashion at university. In my final year, millinery revealed itself in a way that felt transformative. A guest speaker from Frederick Fox presented a hat created using rocks to cast the block and the idea of turning such an unexpected material into wearable sculpture fascinated me. That moment shifted everything. For me, hats are three-dimensional art forms; sculptural pieces that combine craftsmanship, fashion and emotion. A well-designed hat not only completes an outfit, it transforms posture, presence and confidence.
After graduating, I gained invaluable experience working with respected milliners including Stephen Jones and Catherine Delaney. Those formative years sharpened my technical skills and creative perspective before I established my own brand. More recently, I was honoured to be named on the Walpole Power List and nominated for Accessory Designer of the Year at the London Fashion Awards. I am also proud to be a member of the British Hat Guild. Creating commissions for designers at London Fashion Week has been another exciting milestone.
What inspires your designs and seasonal collections? You also offer a bespoke hat design service; can you tell us more about how a commissioned design comes to life?
My design process always begins with research and reflection. I consider emerging trends while defining a clear narrative for the collection. Inspiration often comes from travel, architecture, art or fleeting visual moments. Establishing a strong foundation ensures cohesion. Next comes an exploratory sketch phase. I put everything on paper- even abstract ideas- before refining the strongest concepts into a balanced collection.
I usually design several sculptural statement pieces that anchor a collection creatively, alongside more wearable headpieces suited to special occasions. I value that dialogue between artistry and accessibility. Once construction begins, the work becomes more instinctive. Materials often lead the direction and designs evolve beyond the original sketches; I embrace this organic shift as it keeps the pieces dynamic and responsive.
I absolutely love creating those special‘ wow-factor’ hats for clients attending the races, especially during Royal Ascot, which is always the highlight of my year. One standout bespoke piece was the double-brim hat I created for designer Kyle Ho. Seeing it worn by Johannes Radebe from Strictly Come Dancing on The Graham Norton Show was an incredibly proud moment.
You’ ve launched a Millinery Academy to help other budding designers; what inspired this exciting venture? The roll out of my hat making workshops and Millinery Academy are my greatest achievements. They are designed to inspire and empower, whether someone is discovering millinery for the first time or
refining existing skills. I offer private tuition at my London shop for immersive one-toone learning and host bespoke millinery events for corporate teams, women’ s groups and celebrations. Each begins with an introduction to millinery and the techniques we’ ll explore. Over three hours, guests design and craft their own fascinator, headpiece or Ascot hat, supported by my team. We provide flowers, veiling, ribbons and trims, ensuring every piece is unique.
I also run the Millinery & Business Academy, an online membership for milliners worldwide. Through detailed tutorials, live Q & As and virtual meet-ups, members develop both technical skills and business confidence. The academy has grown into a supportive international community. Whether in person or online, my aim is simple: to share the joy of millinery and leave people feeling confident and inspired.
What’ s next for you in 2026? I’ m excited to build further momentum. Being named in the Walpole Power List was an honour and I’ ve been invited to present my work in Milan; a significant step for the brand. Looking ahead, my focus is on strengthening partnerships with designers, elevating internationally and expanding the Millinery & Business Academy. Mentorship remains central to my vision; supporting other milliners in building sustainable, thriving businesses is deeply important to me. Above all, I hope 2026 is a year of growth, creativity and enjoyment.
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