| THE WORK:
A milliner’s role is to design and create new and innovative hats. Milliners can work in a number of different market areas, including haute-couture (exclusive top-end), designer, high street, and specialist wear. What does a milliner do?
A milliner’s role is to design and create new and innovative hats. Milliners can work in a number of different market areas, including haute-couture (exclusive top-end), designer, high street, and specialist wear.
When creating bespoke hats or small ranges a milliner would meet directly with the client to discuss their requirements and take measurements. Those working for a high street retailer may spend much of their time liaising with overseas suppliers.
A milliner would also typically be involved in analysing fabric and colour trends and attending trade shows for inspiration. They would also produce design ideas, either using computer packages or by hand, these can then be used as a pattern to produce the finished hat design. Suitable fabrics and trims also need sourcing before the hat can be hand or machine stitched. The fabric may need hand-steaming into shape; in mass-production hydraulic machinery can be used to do this, this process is known as ‘blocking.’
Self-employed designers may also spend a considerable amount of time maintaining their business and promoting their designs. |
| HOURS AND ENVIRONMENT:
Self-employed milliners usually work irregular hours as their work load depends on how may commissions they have. Those employed by a larger company may have more regular hours of between 37 and 40 hours a week. Part-time and overtime hours may also be available. Milliners can expect to work in a small studio or home-based workshop, with some millinery work taking place in a factory environment. Protective clothing may be required when carrying out certain processes.
Travel both within the UK and overseas is common. |
| SKILLS AND INTERESTS:
It may be useful for someone considering a career as a milliner to have some of the following skills and interests: · a creative, imaginative eye with good artistic skills
· a good understanding of proportion, fabrics and design
· an interest in past and future fashion and colour trends
· an understanding of technical processes and good communication and business skills
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| ENTRY :
Due to the need for technical skills, most milliners gain entry to this career by obtaining a degree or HND in a related subject. A wide range of creative courses are available in fashion, design and millinery. The following examples are courses specifically relating to millinery: · Leeds College of Art and Design offers a BTEC Higher National Diploma or Certificate in millinery
· Kensington and Chelsea College offers a number of BTEC Higher National Diplomas or Certificates in millinery-related subjects
· The London College of Fashion, part of the University of the Arts London, and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design offer a variety of short courses in millinery
The following short courses are also available in millinery from City & Guilds:
· City & Guilds Level 2 award in creative techniques in fashion – millinery
· City & Guilds Level 3 award in creative techniques in fashion – advanced millinery
· City & Guilds Level 3 award in fashion – advanced millinery
For more information, visit the City & Guilds website: www.cityandguilds.com/. |
| TRAINING :
Most employers expect milliners to have good basic knowledge when they start, some may join in a junior position to gain experience. Employers may also support additional study through external courses. The Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) offers a membership scheme for professional designers in all types of design work. It also runs training courses and workshops. For more information, visit the CSD website: www.csd.org.uk/. Reading trade publications and attending regular fashion shows will enable a designer to stay focused and aware of the needs of the market.
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| OPPORTUNITIES:
Opportunities for promotion may be limited due to the small number of people employed in this sector. However, some large manufacturers may have posts for senior designers. Milliners with wider fashion design skills may be able to move into senior positions in related areas, such as printed textile designer or retail buyer. This may also lead to opportunities to work abroad.
Many experienced milliners set up their own label, selling to both private and commercial clients. This requires excellent business skills along with a good reputation in the industry.
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| ANNUAL INCOME :
The starting salary for a milliner can be between £12,000 and £15,000 a year. Experienced milliners may earn £20,000 a year or more. Those who are self-employed set their own rates, which can be anything between £150 and over £300 per hat. Qualification Information (external)
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| CASE STUDY | |
Sharon Bainbridge is a Milliner with six years experience in running her own millinery design busi...
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