The Art of Millinery: Behind the Scenes at Alexandra Harper Millinery
Welcome to the world of Alexandra Harper Millinery, where each headpiece is a testament to the artistry and dedication that defines our brand. In this exclusive interview, we invite you to delve into the meticulous craftsmanship behind our unique headpieces, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative journey of Alexandra Harper, a London-based luxury milliner who originally hails from Australia.
From the selection of the finest materials to the application of traditional and innovative techniques, every step is a celebration of craftsmanship and creativity. Inspired by the elegance and sophistication of an esteemed clientele, our signature style merges timeless beauty with contemporary flair. Join us as we explore the journey of production that makes each Alexandra Harper creation a cherished masterpiece.
In Conversation With Alexandra Harper
Let’s talk about your creative inspiration. What are the main sources of inspiration for your hat designs?
Broadly speaking, my sources of inspiration come from two main places. Firstly, and more often than not, my inspiration comes from a particular material. It might be a fabric, a feather, a bead, or an unusual synthetic fabrication: an attraction to either the colour, texture or pattern will fuel my imagination. Secondly, I draw inspiration from the world around me. Nature, architecture, art, or fashion design: it can be any sentient or inanimate thing that has a beauty, elegance or unusual aesthetic. Anything can be inspirational and influential at the exact right time and place.
“My inspiration can be any sentient or inanimate thing that has a beauty, elegance or unusual aesthetic.”
Can you walk us through your design process from the initial concept to the final product?
For me, the design process is a very organic one. I don’t sketch, so using my inspiration fabrication as a guiding point, I’ll decide on a shape and form it in my chosen base material over a wooden block. I’ll then finish the base shape before experimenting with trims – often I will have a very fixed idea about what feather, flower, embroidery or veiling I will use, but a good deal of the time it is all about playing around, pinning things in place and looking in the mirror to see what embellishments are most suited to the base shape and the wearer’s requirements. The chosen trims are then sewn onto the base, the piece is lined with our signature fabric, a comb and elastic are added, and the piece is done!
“My design process is a very organic one.”
What types of materials do you typically use in your hats, and why do you choose these materials?
There are a number of traditional materials that usually serve as base fabrics for hats – straw, felt, buckram. These materials are stiff and strong and hold their shape well – perfect for the foundation shape of any hat or headpiece. When it comes to trimmings, anything goes. I have a few traditional favourites: ribbon, veiling, feathers and leather – but with a view to being more sustainable and as an advocate for re-use, I increasingly favour recycled fabrics, dead-stock flowers and embellishments and more contemporary materials like recycled acrylics and biodegradable cellulose acetates.
“As an advocate of sustainability and re-use, I increasingly favour recycled fabrics, dead-stock flowers and embellishments.”
How do you source your materials, and do you have any preferred suppliers?
Materials can come from anywhere! I have a few trusted, local suppliers (small businesses, which I choose to support primarily), but it’s lovely to also use some more exotic elements like semi-precious beads from India, fabrics from the US, and straw from Italy. Relationships are built up with suppliers over time, and most communications and purchases these days are electronic!
What are some unique techniques that you use in your hat-making process?
There’s a lot of training required for millinery, in a lot of techniques that are unique to hat-making. The most obvious of these is ‘blocking’ a foundation fabric (like straw or felt) over a wooden hat block (a block of wood carved into the shape the hat will be) using steam and heat. There’s also a lot of skill in shaping ribbons, sculpting feathers, invisible hand-sewing and manipulating wire. All best learned through practice on the job!
“All millinery techniques are best learned through practice on the job!”
Can you describe the most challenging part of crafting a hat and how you overcome these challenges?
Physically, one of the biggest challenges is trying to force a fabric or material to do what you want (for example, to stretch felt over a particularly tight or intricate hat block). Often, it just won’t work, or it might work in a different way, so the best approach is to just go with the flow and let go of pre-conceived ideas if you can. Emotionally, often the biggest challenge is meshing a client’s vision of their hat with your own. The only way to proceed with this challenge is to talk, talk, talk! Making sure the client fully understands my vision of their requirements is of utmost importance.
How would you describe the signature style of Alexandra Harper Millinery?
Contemporary and unique – a little different to anything else on the market! Another key feature that sets my designs apart is the use of only the finest materials.
“My signature style is contemporary and unique, using only the finest materials.”
Discover Alexandra Harper’s Artistry
We hope this intimate glimpse into the creative process and craftsmanship of Alexandra Harper Millinery has inspired you as much as it delights us to create these exquisite pieces. Our hats are more than mere accessories; they are wearable art, designed to elevate any ensemble and make a statement of elegance and individuality. We invite you to explore our collection online to discover the perfect piece that resonates with your personal style. Follow us on Instagram so you’ll always be the first to know about our latest creations and exclusive events.
To experience Alexandra Harper’s artistry firsthand, we invite you to explore our bespoke design service. You can visit us in the studio, your home, or a mutually convenient location. Alternatively, consultations are also available via phone, Zoom, or email. We’ll keep you updated with photos and progress reports as we craft your bespoke piece, matching colours and fabrics to your outfit, including custom dyeing if needed. Typically, the process takes around two to three weeks and is well worth the short wait. Reach out to Alexandra today to begin crafting your one-of-a-kind millinery masterpiece.