The Art of Millinery
Millinery is a meticulous craft that blends traditional techniques, high-quality materials, and expert craftsmanship.
Each piece from Raven Millinery is a labour of love, driven by passion and a commitment to creating exquisite headpieces that stand out and inspire.
Quality Materials
A solid foundation
I work with the finest materials including A-grade sinamay, parasisal straw, felt, and buckram—chosen for their versatility and durability. These natural fabrics are expertly shaped, steamed, and stiffened to create the perfect hat base and unique shapes and structures.
Every detail enhances the hat’s aesthetic, incorporating embroidered fabrics, silks, faux leather, and ethically sourced feathers, as well as luxurious silk abaca, delicate veils, and structured crinoline.
I also love pushing boundaries with unexpected materials like sequin film and balsa wood, crafting unique, handcrafted floral elements. For that perfect hint of sparkle, I select only the best—Preciosa and Swarovski crystals, plus luminous pearls—making every headpiece feel luxurious and one-of-a-kind.
Sustainability is at the heart of my work, and I’m committed to sourcing all materials ethically from trusted suppliers, ensuring that beauty and responsibility go hand in hand.
millinery process
Craftsmanship
Blocking Every hat begins its journey on a traditional wooden hat block. The process involves carefully stretching and pinning the material over the block, coaxing it into shape before it is left to dry and set into place. Each block in my collection is custom-made to achieve the perfect shape and fit, ensuring that every hat has a flawless foundation.
Steaming Shaping is one of the most crucial stages and steam plays an essential role. Controlled steam allows me to manipulate fabrics, softening fibres to mould them into elegant, sculptural forms. While water can be damaging to finished hats, carefully applied steam ensures structural integrity.
Tailoring & Decoration Once the base structure is complete, it goes through careful tailoring including cutting, sewing, wiring, to create a truly unique couture piece. Trims are sculpted and hand-sewn embellishments are attached with a keen design eye to achieve the right balance and symmetry to transform each hat into a wearable work of art.
New Techniques While tradition is at the heart of millinery, I also embrace modern techniques and continually experiment with new ways of creating, designing, and pushing the boundaries of materials searching for ways to refine and redefine hat-making.
The Fit The final stage is all about achieving the perfect fit and balance. I use secure elastics, custom-made wire headbands, Alice bands and discreet combs to ensure that each headpiece sits comfortably and securely on the wearer’s head. Every headdress is designed not just to look stunning but to feel effortlessly light and comfortable, enhancing the overall look.