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Advanced Thermoplastics and Leather: An LHW Masterclass with Carole Maher

  • London Bridge Hive 1 Melior Place London, England, SE1 3SZ United Kingdom (map)

Create the smoothest, lightest, most durable and quickest leather blocked hat ever, using thermoplastics and leather. 

This workshop is designed to take you to the next level and help you create fantastic hats and headpieces with the quality and professional finish your clients want. You will create a small hat and trim it in this workshop as well as a free form headpiece and/or experiment with and finish extra trims for your inventory. Carole will introduce you to her exclusive new thermoplastic designed for millinery – HatBondCM. You will make flowers, bows and extra trim using this new material.

Students will:

  • Learn how to professionally block leather over thermoplastic
  • Design two thermoplastic hats/headpieces using two thermoplastic materials
  • Block and cover the pieces
  • Make a head wire or band to attach the headpiece to
  • Finish edges and trim the pieces
  • Be inspired by examples and class participation
  • Take home professional notes

Students will finish a leather hat, a free-form headpiece and extra trim if time permits.

Carole Maher started her millinery training in England with Rose Cory and at the London College of Fashion before graduating from Sydney Institute of Fashion Technology as a qualified Couture Milliner. She has pioneered the global introduction, research, development and distribution of thermoplastics in millinery and the fashion industry and is very passionate about innovation and development in millinery. She currently teaches workshops and lectures around the world and is a regular visiting lecturer and tutor at The Royal College of Art, London. She also delivers millinery workshops at Kensington and Chelsea College of Fashion and masterclass workshops in Ireland, Scotland,France, Spain, AustralAsia and America, as well as in her own studio in Grose Vale, New South Wales, Australia.

Tea and coffee will be provided and there will be a 1 hour break for lunch. Students can bring their own lunch or purchase something to eat from one of the nearby cafes or restaurants.

Carole will also be launching her new thermoplastic designed specifically for millinery use – “HatBondCM” – during London Hat Week and this will be available for purchase on the day.

Please note: Carole Maher’s Beginner Thermoplastics Masterclass is prerequisite to this course. All students need intermediate to advanced millinery skills – a practised knowledge of blocking is essential. All materials will be provided although students are welcome to bring their own sewing kit if they would prefer.

This class is fully booked. To join the waiting list, please send an email to mail@londonhatweek.com