London's Star Milliner
Lisa Jayne
TIAB: How did you get started in designing and creating headpieces?
LJ: It was whilst studying art & design that I first started to create headwear, the course covered fashion & textiles and fashion illustration, I started by sketching clothing but never felt they looked complete until they had headwear with them, for my end of year show I choose the theme recycling and made an entire outfit made from coloured tights it was the headwear that attracted the most attention. I then kept pursuing my dream of being a clothing designer, and studied fashion. I hated the rigidity of it, so transferred to a costume course at London College of Fashion. It was here I realised my love of making headwear.
TIAB: Did you receive any special training?
LJ: I have trained 2 years in art and design, specialising in fashion and textiles, 2 years of costume and 2 years millinery at Kensington and Chelsea College.
TIAB: Did you have the support of your family and friends in this endeavor or did you go it alone?
LJ: My passion has always been to create and luckily I have a family who believe in me and support me emotionally, this means a lot.
TIAB: Can you describe the creative process in creating one of your beautiful headpieces?
LJ: I usually start by doing a moodboard, I will then source the appropriate materials, then I will begin creating, it depends what material I am using as to what technique I use. If it is a structured sinnemay piece or a felt piece then the process is basic millinery techniques, but I like to be experimental in my work so sometimes I use wire and beads, or a blow torch and plastics.
TIAB: What is the most unusual piece of headwear you have ever created and how did you come up with the idea?
LJ: The most unusual is one made from music cds, I love recycling and had some old cds hanging around and just decided I would try to create something from them, as I loved the way the light was reflected in them, I see beauty in all items and can often find alternative uses for things than the ordinary.
TIAB: What has been the high point of your career so far and how did you feel about it?
LJ: I don't really have a single moment, for me its a journey of each day, I take each step and feel happy with each small achievement, as each step is a step further than I ever thought I would be. I just feel blessed to be able to create and love when people love what I do that is my high point .
TIAB: Describe your philosophy behind your designs and what drives your passion in creating such magnificent pieces.
LJ: I like to create artwork, wearable art, I do make pieces that are more regular but I much prefer to make one off pieces.
TIAB: Do you have any other passion you pursue, like community efforts?
LJ: I like to get involved with the odd charity event, I did organise a tea party in aid of 'wear a hat day' and I am currently working towards a charity fashion show where it is a fusion of fashion and music, called oxjam in aid of Oxfam.
TIAB: Any big surprises coming up in your future our readers would like to know about?
LJ: I've been asked to do a few shows in 2016, and have started styling shoots so there are more of those to come, I also am considering doing my own show at London fashion week, and have been asked to collaborate with a designer too.
49