Millinery is an integral part of the fashion industry, and a statement hat that makes heads turn will never go out of style. For their 2016/2017 Headonism programme, the British Fashion Council have chosen four of the best millinery designers on the scene: Laura Apsit Livens, The Season Hats (by Paul Stafford and Selina Horshi), Harvy Santos and Sophie Beale, to celebrate everything that’s great about contemporary British millinery.
In a dedicated installation at the Designer Showrooms at Brewer Street Car Park, the four lucky winners will get to show the world exactly what they can do. The BFC initiative, curated by Stephen Jones OBE, one of the world’s most radical milliners, provides the designers not only with a place to show their designers to press and buyers, but also makes sure they receive valuable mentorship and business support throughout the year; it’s basically like winning the lottery for any young milliner.
Stephen Jones OBE said of the initiative, “I am thrilled Headonism continues to evolve and engage with new members. I welcome The Season Hats (Paul Stafford and Selina Horshi) and Laura Apsit to our group of Merrie Milliners, which include Harvy Santos and Sophie Beale. I look forward to their innovative and stylish Spring Summer 2017 hats to be launched at London Fashion Week.” With all the participants coming from various different backgrounds – Harvy Santos started as a professional ballet dancer in Hong Kong before studying millinery at Kensington and Chelsea College, while Laura Apsit Livens is an LCF graduate who has collaborated with Bally Swiss and designed hats for Paloma Faith and Princess Beatrice – their designs are all innovative and unique, whilst all representing the incredible contemporary millinery techniques that make headwear so exciting. We can’t wait to see what they create.
The Headonism designers’ installation will be open during London Fashion Week, Friday 16th September to Tuesday 20th September 2016.