Gemma Leavy – United Kingdom

Category: Traditional

Description

My interpretation of the theme, Fusion, is combining specialist traditional millinery skills with modern design flair. I made this piece during a 3 day workshop with Australian milliner Peggy Stone, who in her younger years, worked with Her Majesty, The Queen’s Milliners. She inspired me to challenge myself and create a piece of art which I am really proud of. I hope to wear this headpiece to Cheltenham Gold Cup this year, somewhere I have never been before. I am a stay at home Mum of 3 girls with a young developing business, where I am working from a home based studio making special occasion headpieces. I have a jewellery qualification and background in jewellery design & manufacture and I’m really inspired by my natural progression to creative businesswoman.

Materials

• Sinamay
• millinery coated wire
• fabric petals
• Swarovski pearls
• head elastic

Techniques

• Bias cutting Sinamay
• Blocking
• sizing
• ironing
• hand sewing
• wire shaping with pliers