Emma Fozard Original travels to NYC!

The annual dinner for The Headwear Association took place on April 27th at the Loeb Boathouse in New York City's Central Park. Their central mission is, "To promote hats and the headwear industry throughout the world, and to foster goodwill and fellowship among those engaged in the headwear industry."

More than 170 hat-clad guests and models gathered to celebrate the headwear industry with a marvelous dinner, fashion show, industry awards and personal tributes.

Amongst the headwear modelled was one of my latest creations "Arc"; a zebrano headpiece with a metallic silver finish and worn by Georgina Abbot of Atelier Millinery. She was there with Becky Weaver, editor of HatTalk E-magazine and co-organiser of London Hat Week.

Becky Weaver and Georgina Abbot featured in The Hat magazine.

Meanwhile I followed a different hat to Germany in May to be worn at a friend's wedding. Headwear isn't usual at German weddings so I took advantage of my "Englishness" and wore it with pride.

Navy sinamay button perch hat with trim made from beech veneer laminated with gold embossed paper and handpainted. 

Congratulations Steffen and Kathrin!!

Back from holidays and it was straight into an event run by Sale Arts Trail founder and jeweller Jo Lavelle. Artist Takeover took place at Waterside Arts Centre as part of the Sale Festival and featured artists, jewellers, printmakers and crafts from the region.

What's next?

Date for your dairy.... I'm pleased to have been selected again for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair which returns for it's tenth anniversary from Oct 12th - 15th at it's new home of Upper Campfield Market, Manchester.

Make it British and Sale Arts Trail

I was delighted to be selected as one of the top twenty British Millinery brands by Make It British. Make it British is THE source of information on British-made brands and UK manufacturing. They are passionate about British craftsmanship and want to help you find products made in Britain.

Their list includes many well known millinery brands amongst others Walter Wright and Judy Bentinck so I was flattered to appear alongside them!

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Sale Arts Trail is a bi-annual event which promotes professionals artists and makers within Trafford and surrounding areas and is my next selling event.

This year it takes the form of a one day Artist Takeover at Waterside Arts Centre in Sale on

11th June 10:30-5pm FREE ADMISSION.

It will include jewellery, ceramics, photography, art and textiles.

I'll be showing my latest designs; the perfect finishing touch for a Summer wedding or special occasion outfit. Shown here is a recent order for a wedding in Hong Kong.

See you there!

Sunday 11th June 10:30-5pm

FREE ADMISSION

Hatting heaven at HATstock!

A mental focus and flurry of production culminated in HATstock last Saturday and I am still buzzing. It was a privilege to be asked to show my work alongside a huge array of millinery talent.

For me it was an opportunity to launch a new collection of work with a nod to Spring/Summer brights and pastels; watch this space as they'll be available on my website soon! 

HATstock was the vision of Bronwen Simpson to celebrate Millinery in the North and with Stockport's rich hatting heritage, the Hat museum was the perfect setting.

The A6 was dowsed in glorious sunshine and for once, it wasn't the traffic jams catching people's attention; it was wonderful to see so people turning up in their finery and hats for the occasion.  There was a great buzz about the place with people trying on hats, learning more about the hatting history of Stockport and browsing the huge array of millinery supplies from Parkins Fabrics. Not to mention discovering the new blocking room at Hatworks and supporting "Wear a hat day" for Brain tumour research.

Showing my work alongside such a high calibre of milliners was daunting to say the least; particularly with my millinery tutors Sue Carter and Marie Wood of The Millinery studio in full view. But the atmosphere was relaxed, friendly and supportive and I loved hearing about other milliners experiences and backgrounds. 

I felt very lucky to have a steady stream of friends and family who came to see me throughout the day!

Floral headwear by Amanda Moon

Another highlight was listening to talks by Bink of Pearls and Swine and Georgina Abbot and Becky Weaver, founders of London Hat Week.

Headwear by Pearls and Swine

As a milliner with a craft background, I have always felt that I don't "belong" but I think it's because there's just not the same opportunities for milliners to show their work as say for a ceramicist or jeweller. HATstock proved that there is a need for Millinery events like this so here's hoping it'll be back next year and a massive thank you to everyone who made it such a success!