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This blog brings together our latest updates, announcements and behind-the-scenes moments.
You’ll find the same posts we share on Instagram and Facebook, collected here in one place.

Crinoline fabric

Structured, sculptural and surprisingly versatile - ‘by-the-yard’ crinoline fabric is becoming an exciting new material in contemporary millinery. Seen recently on haute couture runways including Schiaparelli, this lightweight mesh fabric allows hat makers to create bold shapes with crisp, sealed edges.
In the May 2026 issue (No. 109) of The Hat Magazine, Denise Innes-Spencer explains how to work with this material successfully, including how to choose the correct type of crinoline fabric and why certain fibre blends should be avoided.
Order a copy of this issue on the back issues page.

Visible stitches sketches

Make every stitch count! In the May 2026 issue (no. 109) of The Hat Magazine, Sophie Beale’s inspiration sketches ‘Visible stitches’ explore how stitching can become the star of a design rather than something to hide.
Order a copy of this issue on the back issues page.

May 2026 issue

Since 1676, Lock & Co. Hatters of St James’s Street has been crafting hats for kings, explorers, and style icons alike. This year, they reach an extraordinary milestone - and they’re celebrating with events, a grand party, bespoke chocolates, a pocket square, and something truly unexpected: a signature perfume.
We sat down with Master Hatter Jayesh Vaghela - 18 years at Lock & Co. - to find out more about how the brand has shaped British style for so many centuries, and continues to do so.
Read the full interview in The Hat Magazine No. 109 (May 2026).
Order a copy of this issue on the back issues page.

May 2026 issue

Issue 109 (May 2026) of The Hat Magazine is out! In this issue: Interviews with Lock & Co. Hatters and the Feltmakers, Trends in millinery supplies, Trends report A/W 26/27, Needles & threads article, Workroom technique ‘Feather fringe brim’ by Sarah Marshall, and more!
Not yet a subscriber? Order a copy of this issue on the  back issues page or become an online subscriber.
Hat on cover by Cynthia Jones-Bryson

Feather fringe brim

Ostrich feather has long been a signature material in the collections of John Boyd, prized for its softness, fluid movement and versatility. In The Hat Magazine Issue 82 (August 2019), owner Sarah Marshall shared a workroom technique demonstrating how to create delicate pompom trims using this material. Now, in the upcoming Issue 109 (out 15 May), she returns with a new technique, guiding readers through the process of creating an ostrich feather fringe brim.

Search functions

Looking to revisit a specific article but not quite sure which issue it appeared in?
There are two easy ways to find what you need. Use the search function in the HatMag app, or enter one or more keywords in the ‘Article index’ on the The Hat Magazine website. A practical tool when you are trying to track down a background piece on a particular material, technique or tool!
Images from the Felt special (Issue 95), Crin special (Issue 103) and Petersham special (Issue 83)

Modern veiling sketches

In the February 2026 issue (no. 108) of The Hat Magazine, we explored the versatility of veiling in two articles: one tracing how veiling is made and how its role in fashion has evolved over time, and another in which Denise Innes Spencer shares practical guidance on lengths, positioning and application. Alongside these, Rachel Richardson’s ‘Modern veiling’ inspiration sketches in the same issue provide a contemporary perspective on the material, with ideas to inspire your summer collections!

Barcelona Hat Days & Passejada amb Barret

Last week, Barcelona once again provided the setting for a vibrant celebration of hat making, as Barcelona Hat Days and the Passejada amb Barret brought together professionals, enthusiasts and the wider public. Over two days, Barcelona Hat Days offered a varied programme of exhibitions, workshops and meetings, creating space for exchange within the international hat community. The highlight for many remains the Passejada amb Barret, the annual hat parade through the streets of Barcelona. Participants and visitors alike took part in a lively procession, where hats of all styles – classic, playful, sculptural and understated – were worn and appreciated in equal measure. Read a full report about both events in the upcoming May 2026 Issue.

Japanese hat brands and shops

Japan has held a distinctive place in the global hat industry since Western hats were introduced there around 130 years ago. Today, its hat making continues to stand out for its technical precision, regional heritage and refined design sensibility, with Japanese hat brands regularly presenting their collections in Europe at trade shows such as Première Classe and Who’s Next. For Issue 108 (February 2026), The Hat Magazine travelled to Japan to meet the people behind these collections. Over ten days, we visited nine hat brands, a materials specialist and a number of independent hat shops, journeying from Tokyo to Osaka, Kobe, Hokuto Yamanashi and the coastal town of Kasaoka. The trip also offered the opportunity to reconnect with several companies first featured six years ago and to see how their businesses have evolved. What emerged is a picture of a sector defined by commitment and adaptability – where heritage techniques meet contemporary design, and where there is a clear determination to sustain hat culture for the future.
Photos taken at Ishidaseibou, CA4LA, Mature ha, K. Sahara, Barairo no Boushi and Chapeau bas!
Read the full article in the February 2026 issue (no. 108) of The Hat Magazine.

Plant-based fur

What would you create with just one metre of plant-based fur? In the February 2026 issue of The Hat Magazine (no. 108), felt artist and milliner Saar Snoek takes on this challenge using innovative material by BioFluff. Her exploration led to the creation of both a trapper hat and a pillbox, each revealing the fabric’s potential in contemporary hat making.
Her verdict is clear. The BioFluff fabric is versatile, easy to dye and sew, and offers a sustainable alternative. As Saar notes, it does not imitate fur but stands on its own as a distinctive, ‘hairy’ textile.
Read the full article in the February 2026 issue (no. 108) of The Hat Magazine.

Hat Museums

Across Europe and beyond, museums dedicated to hats, straw work and millinery heritage quietly safeguard the stories behind our craft. From former factories to artisan workshops and civic collections, these institutions preserve far more than objects. Tools, machinery, archives, photographs and thousands of hats are carefully maintained – not only for display, but as living resources for researchers, makers and educators. They hold the technical knowledge, cultural context and human stories that continue to shape hat making today.
In our latest feature, we highlight nine museums across Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, England and China. Each offers its own perspective on the industry, yet all share a common purpose: to preserve knowledge and ensure that the heritage of hat making remains accessible for future generations. Read the full article in the February 2026 issue (no. 108).
Pictures taken at: Wardown House Luton, Museu da Chapelaria, L'Atelier-Musée du Chapeau, Schweizer Strohmuseum, Nantong Hat Museum and Deutsches Hutmuseum
Read the full article in the February 2026 issue (no. 108) of The Hat Magazine.

Misa Harada

From Tokyo to London and now Cardiff, milliner Misa Harada has built a brand that bridges cultures and generations. Known for hats that combine Japanese practicality with a touch of European couture, her journey has been shaped by chance encounters, creative collaborations and remarkable resilience.
In our latest feature, Misa reflects on four decades in the industry – from studying with Shirley Hex and working with royal hat maker Frederick Fox, to launching her own label and seeing her designs worn by musicians, actors and fashion icons.
Read the full interview in the February 2026 issue (no. 108) of The Hat Magazine.

A/W 26/27 trade shows

Visiting trade shows is always a great way to (re)connect with people. You never quite know who you’re going to run into, and that’s part of the charm.
Kiriko Sato used to exhibit at Premiere Classe until the pandemic paused things several years ago. This season marked her return to Paris, this time exhibiting at Tranoï, just a short distance away. Ranelle Larocque of Queen Bee Millinery travelled from Canada with her husband to visit Premiere Classe (pictured at Jennifer Ouellette’s booth). And at Tranoï, milliner Grainne Maher presented something new: not hats this time, but her first leather bag collection. A full A/W 26/27 trends report will be published in the May 2026 issue.

Covered wire frame

Using a millinery wire frame as the base for a headpiece allows for precise shaping while creating a lightweight yet stable structure that can be covered in a wide range of materials. In the workroom technique in the February 2026 issue (no. 108) of The Hat Magazine, Dutch milliner Marianne Jongkind explains step by step how to construct a wire frame and how to cover it with crin braid, keeping the base as light and translucent as possible. Read the full article in the February 2026 issue (no. 108).

More veiling

Veiling is more than just a beautiful trim – it has a rich history woven into its fibres. In the February 2026 issue (no. 108) of The Hat Magazine, alongside the practical tips and techniques article on working with veiling, you will also find an introduction to how veiling is made. The article explores how its fibres and structures have evolved over time, and how its role in fashion has shifted – from an everyday accessory to an occasional and couture trim. Read the full article in the February 2026 issue (no. 108).