Summer Meadow

Angharad Guttridge

United Kingdom

• HATalk Issue 169: An Interview with Giulia Mio
• Windowpane Sinamay Brim Project by Laura Del Villagio

Giulia’s exquisite headwear has become a constant source of inspiration for me. From her timeless designs to her more conceptual, sculptural headpieces, her impeccable craftsmanship, attention to detail and eye for colour shine through. It was through Giulia that I discovered Svetlana Faulkner’s flower making tutorials; Giulia had posted a photo of her first leather chrysanthemum on Instagram and I had to find out how she made it! Over the last 2 years Svetlana’s tutorials have taught me the skills to take my flower making to another level, and Giulia’s work provides me with a daily kick up the backside to ‘up my game’!

It was lovely to hear how Giulia felt a natural affinity for millinery, I too felt that it was a natural fit for me when I did my first course, alongside working on my Postgraduate Diploma in fine art. I share her preference for working with natural materials and I really admire how she elevates humble materials such as linen and cotton to create delicate couture flowers.

Giulia’s latest collection celebrates small, understated spring blooms common throughout the British landscape. My homage to this theme is a collection of wild meadow flowers, inspired by my rural upbringing and the beautiful dress my mum gave me as a gift when my daughter was born in August 2020. Some of the flowers are my own design, some I have learned from Svetlana, and another I have learnt to make for this competition. The brim was made following the Windowpane sinamay brim tutorial from issue 158 - May 2019.

One day I would love to do a course with Giulia. For now I’ll continue to look for tutorials and courses that will further develop my millinery skills, particularly flower making techniques, and strive to make headpieces as beautiful as hers.

• Dyed Sinamay
• Mesh Sinamay
• Wire
• Petersham
• Silk Crepe
• Silk Satin
• Silk Organza
• Rayon Satin
• Cotton Velvet
• Cotton Flannelette
• Cotton Cheesecloth
• Embroidery silk
• Florist Tape
• Rayon Ribbon
• Stamens (various sizes)
• Raffia Straw

• Sinamay Blocking
• Bias mesh brim
• Fabric dyeing/ Painting (using Procion dyes)
• Somebana flower making techniques