Veronica Main MBE
Hats now, hats past – these are my passion.
Keeping alive the heritage of this diverse industry for future generations to enjoy, learn from and use is my mission.
I have worked with straw for over forty years producing work for private commission, film and TV. Until I retired I was a senior curator for Culture Trust Luton where I was responsible for the Hat Industry and Headwear Collection. Wardown House Museum and Gallery holds the world’s greatest hat industry collection.
It has been important for me to not only understand the history of the industry but to be able to recreate plaits, braids and trimmings used in the trade. I am one of the last straw plaiters using traditional techniques and have written a book, Swiss Straw Work – Techniques of a Fashion Industry to ensure these skills can be passed on to future generations. My latest book, Straw Plaiting – Heritage Techniques for Hats, Trimmings, Bags and Baskets provides a comprehensive history of the worldwide trade and instructions for recreating traditional plaits.
My work encompassed teaching, mentoring, consultancy and commissions as well as ongoing research. I am a Queen Elizabeth Scholar.