Feltmakers’ Design Award 2026
This year’s judging took place on 13 April in the wonderful surroundings of Haberdashers’ Hall. The Feltmakers’ Design Award, now in its 31st year, was the brainchild of Liveryman and Past Master William Horsman.
Applications are invited from fashion students and trainees or apprentices within the headwear industry. Applicants within five years of completing their millinery studies or starting their own millinery business may also enter the competition. Entries may be submitted from any country within the European Community and there is no age restriction.
It is a design competition, so the judges are looking for originality and craftsmanship. The entries must be able to be replicated in a workroom or a factory. Artwork and backing papers should be included. Felt must be used although it does not need to be the major content of the hat.
This year we had over 46 entries from both the UK and Europe. Entries came from UK colleges, The King’s Foundation, The Dutch Hat Academy, The Fashion Institute of Vienna and numerous millinery students and start-ups from the UK and Europe. As ever the standard of entries was fantastic.
Students are first invited to send in images and supporting papers for their entries. If successful in the first round, they are then invited to send in the physical hats for the final judging.
On this year’s judging panel were milliners Noel Stewart, Edwina Ibbotson and Judy Bentinck along with retired hat manufacturer William Horsman, editor-in-chief of the Hat Magazine, Elly Stemerdink and Rachel Trevor-Morgan, milliner and competition organiser.
To witness the final deliberations, we were joined by Gary Langley, the Lady Mayor’s consort and the sheriffs’ consorts, Elspeth Hughes-Penney and Kevin Bradford along with The Master of the Feltmakers, Simon Millar and Kerry his wife.
I am excited to announce the WINNERS as follows:
First Prize – £1700
Imogen Privett – Morley College
A Chink in my Armour – the starting point of this design was the consideration of whether felt could be fragile. Something fragile yet referencing strength. Renaissance armour was a key visual reference, drawing on motif and symbolism to tell stories about the wearer. Molly wanted to explore the architectural quality of creating space around the head to create an exaggerated silhouette, to emphasise the sense of fragility to create a piece that either shields or exposes the wearer depending on the angle of view.
She created this stunning piece by laser cutting the felt in sections then shaping and constructing. This piece was extremely intricate and the craftsmanship and attention to detail was very impressive.
Second Prize – £1200
Amelia Down – The King’s Foundation
Bubonic Bowler – This hat confronted one’s subconscious desire to break out of the restrictions of uniform through the spontaneity of organic growth. We loved this witty take on a classic design.
Third Prize – £950
Charlie Tolley – Apprentice Sahar Millinery
Kink – The base felt was inspired by the illustrative properties of traditional, monochromatic, Sumi-e paintings. The attached felt shape stemmed from graphic street art styles. The hat was modern and striking.
Craftsmanship – £350
Yvonne Cunnington – Trainee Ian Bennett
Yvonnes’ nest and bird were beautifully executed. Inspired by her home in rural Scotland and the swallows that nested in her barn. The nest was made from dyed and woven strips of felt and featured a hand felted bird and needle felted eggs.
Innovative use of felt – £350
Molly Ashdown – Nottingham Trent University
Mollys felt bonnet took inspiration from the 2025 Frankenstein film; its characters, costume design and cinematography. Following the visual language of the film, the piece was both romantic and unsettling. Molly’s hand felted portraits were beautifully executed whilst having an experimental edge, reflecting one of the main themes of the film. The finished piece with its blue bind and ribbons was very strong.
Commerciality – £350
Victoria Hinds – Morley College
Enjoy the Blooms – Victoria’s hat took inspiration from an artichoke in full bloom and explored her relationship with her mother through their mutual love for the garden. The hat featured spikey hand felted leaves balanced on a button pillbox with two felted bumble bees. It was well balanced and flattering – a very commercial hat.
Artwork – £350
Syrie Tordoff – Judy Bentinck Trainee
The Monster in my Head – We loved the typeset and hand drawings of hand and claws. Syrie’s artwork took inspiration from the famous children’s book – where the wild things are.
For further information please follow @feltmakers on instagram
Rachel Trevor Morgan
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