Leanne Cairns – United Kingdom

Infinite Alba

Description

“The soul is not ruled by time and space.The soul is infinite. It blends with the ONE in infinity.” Ram Das

“Never forget that what becomes Timeless, was once truly New. ” Nicholas Ghesquiere, Vogue.

I decided that the above quotes are exactly what my interpretation of Timeless would be for this entry. Why not create a new design of hat, unique to me in the techniques I decided to use but meanwhile being inspired by the timeless traditional elegance of hats made in the 1920s,30’s and 40’s. I being a Scottish Milliner decided to take from timeless Scottish hats too (Tam ‘O Shanter) with their use of tartan but instead modernise this idea with a new material that would disrupt the whole idea of timeless being traditional and from the past.

As you will see this hat ‘Infinite Alba’, takes many ideas of traditional past and mixes it with new techniques and modern material to create a unique shaped hat, that is versatile and can be changed to day wear or evening with reversible sequin detail.

Infinity was a big inspiration for this hat decoration.I am intrigued that time and its endless cycle are sometimes taken for granted and so wanted to play homage to the infinity symbol and the cogs of timepieces by combining them into an elegant motif on the side of the hat, the reversible sequin detail is prominent in both the motif and the rear flip of the hat.

I wanted this hat to come together as one in honouring time and infinity but most of all having a classic design, elegant lines and functional , an investment piece to be worn with many different items of everyday or evening attire with the blend of colours used.

I hope you like it!

Materials

• Rust wool felt capeline
• Felt Stiffener and thinner, paint prush to apply
• Wooden crown block and hand to shape the form
• Brimwire
• Thread and needle
• Petersham ribbon around brim edge and in crown interior,(folded ribbon art and sewn in)
• Natural centre Pheasant tail feather
• Burnt striped Pheasant feather
• Reversible sequins fabric with printed tartan plaid on one side or wipe to have gloss black
• Scalpal to slice and manoever material of the infinity emblem into structure of hat.
• Vintage brass, copper and antique gold time piece cog,

Techniques

• Felt Blocking
• Steaming
• Stiffening
• Hand forming and shaping
• Pattern Cutting
• Brim stitching and invisible stitch for Petersham ribbon work
• Shaping feathers
• Slice felt application to insert fabric without removing interior felt
• Sewing attachments / embellishments