2023 HATalk Hat Making Competition Winners

The ancient Greeks believed that there were four basic elements of nature – earth, water, air, and fire – and they used these elements to classify everything in the world around them. In many ways, this idea has influenced our general understanding of the world ever since.

For the 2023 HATalk Competition, we challenged hat designers everywhere to make an original hat or headpiece inspired by the concept of EARTH, one of the classical elements.

Four winners were chosen by our international panel of expert judges – Denise Innes-Spencer, Judy Bentinck and Anél Heyman. The Public Prize was decided through an online vote.

First Place & Public Prize Winner

Name of Hat/Headpiece

Nompilo : Mother of Life

Name of Maker

Nomathemba Ndlovu

Country

Zimbabwe

Prizes

• £500 (GBP) Guy Morse-Brown Hat Blocks Voucher
• £250 (GBP) The Trimming Company  Voucher
• Prize Pack from Hatters Millinery Supplies
• 1-year HATalk Subscription

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Second Place

Name of Hat/Headpiece

The miracle of seed and soil

Name of Maker

Saar Snoek

Country

Netherlands

Prize

• 300€ (EUR)  Plooij Hats and Materials Voucher
• $250 (AUD) B Unique Millinery Voucher. Voucher
• Prize Pack from Hatters Millinery Supplies
• 1-year HATalk Subscription

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Third Place

Name of Hat/Headpiece

Parched Yet Resilient

Name of Maker

Laurie Osborne

Country

USA

Prize

• $250 (USD) Ribbon Connections, Inc. Voucher
• $100 (USD) Judith M Millinery Supply House Voucher
• 1-year HATalk Subscription

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Fourth Place

Name of Hat/Headpiece

Peace on Earth

Name of Maker

Maria Carmen Syed Abdul Melnic

Country

Romania

Prize

• Custom Fabric Flowers from M&S Schmalberg
• 1-year HATalk Subscription

VIEW ENTRY