2021 HATalk Competition Entry

Lauren Thompson

Name of Hat/Headpiece

‘At the Drop of a Hat’

Maker

Lauren Thompson

Country

United Kingdom

HATalk Archive Inspiration

HATalk Issue 1: The Back Page: At the Drop of a Hat
HATalk Issue 17: Tiara Making by Janet Ricketts
HATalk Issue 23: Rouleau Magic 2 by Pat Phillpott
HATalk Issue 40: A metal drinks can…becomes a hat decoration
HATalk Issue 49: Make Your Own Bling Felt Hat by Wendy White
HATalk Issue 63: Using a Fascinator Block with Heidi Lawton Part 2- Creating Machine Embroidered Flowers
HATalk Issue 76: Make Sinamay Feathers with Bridget Bailey
HATalk Issue 93: Make a Sinamay Bow with Judy Bentinck
HATalk Issue 94: Feather Curling By Georgina Abbott
HATalk Issue 110: Make a Leather Rose by Svetlana Faulkner
HATalk Issue 127: The 1-Hour Biot Flower- A tutorial by Michelle Osbourne
HATalk Issue 135: Make an EVA Foam Orchid by Galina Kofod
HATalk Issue 152: Double Diagonal Headband Trim by Jan Wutkowski
HATalk Issue 154: Make a Biot Bird by Lynn McMasters
HATalk Issue 175: Goose Nagoire Feather Mount Tutorial by Rachel Nixon
HATalk Issue 179: Textured PomPom Tutorial by Elena Shvab

Description

This hat was inspired by the back page of the very first issue of HATalk, which explained the origins of the expression ‘At the Drop of a Hat’. Visually this phrase sparked my imagination; as a play on the term, I began with the concept of a traditional shaped hat (bowler) falling to reveal an explosion of modern millinery techniques. As HATalk celebrates its 15th year in publication, I thought it apt to represent each year with a trim. As the magazine is known for its milliner contributed tutorials, I selected one from every of the 15 years as a starting point. This process was thoroughly enjoyable as I was able learn and relearn about a variety of materials and techniques which had been featured over the years. This knowledge provided me with a great opportunity for experimentation and I even have new ideas to incorporate into my future work. I really wanted to convey a sense of fun and celebration so I selected an energetic colour palette, mixed textures and considered dimension so that the hat would appear to be bursting with excitement. I am a fan of interpreting traditional construction techniques with more modern concepts as it allows quality to be kept in contemporary design. I believe this was especially important in this instance as I feel it is a sentiment at the centre of HATalk, who look ahead to what modern millinery can be.

Hat Making Materials