The British Hat Guild Award
The British Hat Guild Award is designed to encourage the creative, technical and business development of people early in their career, within any sector of the hat industry. Each awardee receives a £500 bursary to spend on materials, processes or technology that would further their work, alongside receiving a tailored programme of one-to-one mentorship.
We are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2023 British Hat Guild Award: Barnaby Horn, Fleur Curtis and Marnie Perkins. These three outstanding headwear designers and makers will receive mentoring from BHG members over the year to support the development of their business and practice. Read on to find out more about our inaugural awardees.
“Having received over 40 applications from across the spectrum of our industry, the task of selecting three was daunting. The three award recipients represent the outstanding design, craft, and business skills that it takes to succeed in this very special industry. We hope that they will really benefit from and enjoy the support and experience shared by their mentors, and wish them a very successful 2023.”
Barnaby Horn
Barnaby Horn is a Leeds born, London based milliner and studies MA Millinery at the Royal College of Art graduating in 2023. Barnaby often presents his work within a collage of digital projection, live performance and sculpture. With a background in devising theatre and performing in drag, Barnaby uses millinery to explore queer identity - confess desires and tell universal stories.
Fleur Curtis
Fleur Curtis first began learning millinery online during lockdown. Immediately falling in love with the craft, she became determined to find a way to become a milliner full time. In the autumn of 2021, she left behind a 22 year career on the wards of the NHS, and opened the doors to Oscar & Willow Millinery, her shop and studio in Shrewsbury.
Marnie Perkins
Marnie Perkins is a costume milliner, predominantly in the film and television industry with a love for period millinery. She trained in costume in Australia at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, before relocating to London where she worked in the millinery department at world renowned period costumiers Cosprop, producing principal makes for The Pursuit of Love and The Dig. She now works freelance.
