Rachel Richardson
After graduating from a BA Hons degree in Fine Art: Sculpture, at Chelsea College of Art, Rachel found her way into Millinery. She found with her sculptural background that the hat was a great way to manipulate and extend the 3D form of the head.
After Studying at Kensington and Chelsea College, working under Kirsten Scott, she graduated with distinction winning a coveted work placement with leading Uk Supplier.
Within a month the placement resulted in a full time position designing and sourcing materials for occasion hats and cold weather product specifically for UK hughstreet brands, such as M & S, Accessorize, Debenhams and Topshop. She travels to China regally and works with large, yet specialist, Chinese factories.
In 2008, after winning Hat Designer of the Year, Rachel launched her own millinery collection at Premiere Classe in Paris, it incorporated perspex and wooden feathers and stylograph stitching.
Rachel continues to work on bespoke individual commissions whilst continuing to design for UK brands. She also illustrates the ‘sketchbook; pages for the Hat Magazine providing a range of idea relating to a theme.
Working with numerous Eastern factories has given Rachel unprecedented knowledge of China’s hat industry.