Coming from a Magical HAPPY PLACE from within and a passion to utilise bio-degradable materials with a focus on saving our trees and the planet.

The concept is utilising my skills and showcasing new explorations that have been developed over, not only my millinery practice, but from my previous job role when I was a Treehouse Designer. I absolutely loved using my technical architectural skills to create bespoke dwellings within fascinating trees, (without harming the trees of course). To create a space around a living structure was by far my first passion, prior to Millinery. I was inspired by the theme Happy Place to do what I do best, be in my happy place making hats while nostalgically designing around a tree again to create a mystical statement piece that will make everyone’s inner child smile.

Children, and adults, see a treehouse as a place to let their imagination thrive while embracing nature amongst the boughs. What better place to be happy and what better opportunity to capture this happiness as a hat. Actually, Queen Elizabeth became Queen after her father’s death while visiting the Treetops Hotel in Kenya in 1952, unfortunately now closed due to the pandemic.

Speaking of Boughs, I was also influenced by Scottish Anthropologist James Frazer’s book “The Golden Bough” -a study of Mythology and especially Virgil’s tale of Aeneid who is given protection from darkness and death when journeying to the underworld with “The Golden Bough” that represents both Light and Life… Again what could be happier than feeling safe and protected.

To produce this hat I was utilising sustainable recyclable materials and new methods combined with that of traditional millinery.

I sincerely hope it makes you all feel as happy, as the spirit in which it was created!

Note: Entries have been not been edited or proofread to protect the integrity of the maker's original meaning.