Studio News
The Gifting Season – Christmas Fair Dates 2023
This year, I will be participating in a couple of Christmas fairs close to home and also some further afield, north of the Border, so to...
In Celebration of Tartan
It's almost time to start thinking about the upcoming season of the Christmas gift fairs when there is no better time to show your support...
Fashion as a Force for Good
Earlier in the year, in collaboration with the charity Smart Works Newcastle, I created a collection of six headpieces, utilising some of...
Hats off to Windsor Castle
Earlier in the summer, my client Sophie got in touch to commission me to make a headpiece for her to wear to her MBE ceremony, which was...
The making of Miss Daphne
If, like me, you were taught to knit by your grandmother, most would know that when you learn to knit, your first tentative stitch is the...
Summer Millinery and Classic Cars at Etal Showground, Northumberland
It was Ready, Steady, Go in North Northumberland with a Classic Car Show and Craft Market held at the idyllic Etal Showground on a sunny...
A Summer Serenade at Marchmont House
Since 1750 Marchmont House - set in the calm and beautiful Scottish Borders - has been a haven for artistic creativity. In 2012 Hugo...
The British Library Report – Democratising Entrepreneurship 2.0.
After a couple of weeks of anticipation of our trip - the day of our trip to London for the launch of the new British Library BIPC report...
Remodelling a charity shop buy for a House of Lords reception
A few weeks ago, I received a very exciting invitation sent on behalf of The Rt Hon the Lord Janvrin, inviting me to a lunchtime reception...
Lord-Lieutenant’s Garden Party for Volunteers and Carers in Northumberland.
There was lots of excitement when the North Northumberland branch of the NAS received an invitation for four of its committee members to...
Get ready for the Coronation weekend!
I am delighted to launch my 2023 Coronation collection - featuring red, white and blue patriotic style ribbon style fascinator headbands...
New beginners Sinamay halo headband workshop
After a few weeks of work and experimentation, I was pleased to launch my new Sinamay halo headband workshop in March. This contemporary...
Re-imagining Jean Shrimpton at the Melbourne Cup 1965
The theme of the year's Melbourne International Millinery Competition was to imagine what hat Jean Shrimpton should have worn for The...
Exploring some of the millinery trends of the 1960s
Until the mid-1960s, most still considered a hat an essential item of clothing for everyday wear and for 'Sunday best', irrelevant to your...
Creating a sustainable collection for Smart Works Newcastle
Have you ever wondered what to do with those designer scarves you have pushed to the back of the drawer? Why not breathe new life into...
Memories from our trip to France
I thought it was timely to reflect on our last trip away in 2022. All in the cause of millinery research - in early October, we took our...
’Tis the season
As Advent moves onwards towards Epiphany and 2023 beckons inexorably, I thought it might be fun to take a look at what’s been happening...
Christmas at Number 10
Well, something amazing happened a few days ago. The online artisan crafts platform that hosts my accessories - The British Craft House -...
Meet the Milliner – Christmas Events Throughout the Region
As the weather turns cooler and our thoughts turn to Christmas, preparations of all types, including perhaps, seeking out those special...
Autumn / Winter Collection News
Well, despite all the current doom, gloom and depressing news, one thing is certain, as the nights draw in, we are despite everything...
Autumn / Winter Events Round-Up
I'll be attending several creative events in Northumberland, Yorkshire and Scotland, and I hope to see many of you there. Here is a...
London Represents goes ahead at LFW – September 2022
In the aftermath of the death of HM The Queen, it was announced that London Fashion Week would go ahead, and whilst royal protocol would...
Reflecting on the last few days…
It feels almost as if the whole world has been on pause since the momentous announcement on Thursday, 8th September, of the passing of HM...
Couture Millinery for Family Occasions
Fedora, boater, coolie, fascinator, halo, headband, panama, trilby, turban, vintage beret, not forgetting the millinery styles made famous...
August in Northumberland
As we have been enjoying such amazingly dry and warm weather in Northumberland through most of August, I thought it might be fun to...
Millinery Transformations!
Image Photography - Tim Walker, Vogue, August 2004In these days of vintage recycling, there are many choices - we can take a trip to our...
Art at the Hindmarsh – Saturday and Sunday 6-7th August 2022
I am delighted to have been selected for a new arts festival at the Hindmarsh Hall in the beautiful village of Alnmouth, where I will show...
Arts Festivals – a creative melting pot of local talent
Connecting with your audience is incredibly important in the life of a maker. Whilst social media is excellent for connecting with a...
Raising the Profile of the Endangered Art of Millinery (Part 2)
How do you bring sustainability into your work? I always use vintage or recycled materials whenever I can. I have been involved in several...
Newcastle Gosforth Park Race Course Gainford Ladies Day – 23 July 2022
A trip to Ladies Day at the races is considered by many to be the essence of summer entertainment. If you are lucky enough to be going to...
Raising the Profile of the Endangered Art of Millinery (Part 1)
Once upon a time, a hat was an essential part of a lady’s outfit. Nowadays, decorative hats and headpieces tend to be adornments reserved...
Meet the Milliner – Upcoming Craft and Art Fair appearances
Craft Fairs are always an excellent opportunity to join other creatives in showing new and evergreen products to an in-person audience and...
It’s almost time for Ladies’ Day at Gosforth Park!
Now Ascot is over one of my favourite images from last year’s Newcastle Gosforth Park Ladies Day reminds me that it’s time to turn our...
In the Clouds – Milliners of the World Unite! 2022 London Hat Week Exhibition
In August, milliners from far wide will be converging on the UK for the 2022 London Hat Week (LHW). Staged across various venues in the...
The Platinum Jubilee weekend and my Platinum Jubilee headpiece
I do hope that everyone had a great Jubilee weekend – we especially enjoyed the HM The Queen with Paddington! As 70 years is such a...
It’s almost here – Royal Ascot 2022 is just a few days away!
As we all recover from the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations and look forward to the next event of the season, Royal Ascot, I thought...
Looking forward the Platinum Jubilee Weekend!
On the eve of HM The Queens's amazing achievement of 70 years on the throne and as we all look forward to a wonderful Platinum Jubilee...
New Beginnings Exhibition – A Dialogue with Nature
I am delighted to be exhibiting my headpiece "When Spring Comes" in the exhibition New Beginnings - A Dialogue with Nature - that's taking...
Sunflowers for Ukraine
The news for the last five weeks has been constantly filled with the events in Ukraine, and no one can fail not to have been moved by the...
Creative Inspiration – Military Millinery
At the Army Flying Museum, there is a fascinating collection of military headwear. Having recently completed a modern cap for the museum's...
Studio News – exclusive designs showcased!
Studio news - Exclusive designs showcased! The Northumberland Milliner exclusive designs are showcased in the press! Gosh, what a lovely...
A time for gifting – for someone you love!
At this time for gifting I have been developing a group of beautifully made merino wool brooches – a gift for someone you love – to wear...
January’s National Hat Day!
January 15th is National HatDay! To coincide with National Hat Day I thought I might focus on the headpiece I am wearing in my profile pic...
Christmas 2021 – looking forward to 2022
Christmas 2021 - looking forward to 2022. By anyone's reckoning, 2021 has been a momentous year and even as it draws to an end, it's still...
Designer Makers Craft Market
Designer Makers Craft Market is known for bringing together an eclectic mix of makers and creators to the October event which is one of...
Lifting the hat box lid to reveal a new millinery website!
The world began to open up again slightly as the vaccine options developed, and though we remained hunkered down in the relative safety of...
Remembering Lisa Shaw – BBC Radio Newcastle
On April 23rd 2018 I had the privilege of being interviewed by Lisa Shaw on her mid-morning Radio Show. You can only imagine how nervous I...
Hats, Hats and More Hats in Gosforth High Street, Newcastle NE3
Hats, headpieces, models, a hair and beauty salon and a creative photographer are in my opinion the essential elements for a successful...
And they’re off!
This year unlike so may in living memory has been shaped dramatically by the events that have proceeded it, and of course, there is no...
SGSNY – Reaction to the Roses are Red Masterclass
This was my first experience of a transatlantic zoom class, and it was lovely how welcome the patrons of The Saint Georges Society New...
Masterclass for the Saint Georges Society New York’s 250th Anniversary
On the other side of the world someone’s having their 250th anniversary and there’s growing excitement about it here in North...
Helping with fundraising for HospiceCare Northumberland
Like many charitable organisations, the impact of Covid19 on our local charities fundraising efforts has been very significant. Throughout...
All (hat) boxed up again but learning new millinery skills
In Autumn 2020 life began to close in once again, and even the small number of special events, weddings etc, came to a stop so naturally...
“Zooming” makes the accessories hat box reopen
So what do you do when access to your traditional markets is completely closed down? In mid Spring when the instruction to stay at home...
Hats are all boxed up as events are cancelled
Working from my home studio at Doxford Newhouses in February ’20 I was still leading my popular millinery beginners’ workshops, based...
New directions
With Covid restrictions really impacting the lifestyle with which we are all so familiar, this is just a brief update to let you know how...
The Corryvreckan Maelstrom at The Timeless Millinery Competition
Most of the competition and exhibition millinery originates from a brief – which gives you, the milliner, a source of inspiration and a...
A Talk for the Friends of The Hatton – Creating “The Northumberland Milliner”
How I evolved to became a couture milliner seems to hold an ongoing fascination for anyone remotely interested in hats or simply...
Channelling Audrey
I love accepting bridal commissions and enjoy working with brides to help them complete their vision of the perfect headpiece to complete...
Round-up of recent press coverage
In the ephemeral days of Social Media that we all live in now, it is difficult to keep a handle on the coverage that your work receives....
The Mad Hatters Tea Party at Untangled Threads
In 2018 I answered a call from my friend and fellow artist Helen Birmingham who has a unique gallery in Scarborough and is herself a...
Gok Wan comes to Newcastle!
On September 30th Gok Wan brought his latest show to Newcastle, One Size Fits All, concentrating on building female self confidence and...
Gok Wan – One Size Fits All – is coming to Gateshead!
For those of you that don't know yet - I have an announcement - the charismatic Gok Wan has selected the North East for the start of his...
Hats Off! Featured in Living North
On our return from holiday a lovely surprise awaited me - the publication of an in-depth interview and overview of my millinery work,...
My favourite Royal Wedding outfits!
We are just back from a wonderful holiday In Canada, and finally summer seems to have got here after a fashion "slightly erratic" might be...
Featured in Racing Fashion by Eclipse Magazine
During London Hat Week Editor Karen Sergeant & Fashion Editor Karen Grace of the online magazine, Eclipse, featured my piece "In...
Interviewed on Radio Newcastle with Lisa Shaw!
I was delighted on Monday to be called for interview at BBC Radio Newcastle, where morning show host Lisa Shaw who had heard about my...
Round-up of some recent reviews
My work as a milliner divides neatly into several spheres – creating couture commissions; the ready to wear collections – sold through the...
The Art Fund_Lifting the veil on the art of couture millinery
I am delighted to have been asked to talk about my work as a couture milliner, my sources of inspiration and design methodology for the...
A Celebration of Alnwick Garden will go to London!
The Great Hat Exhibition will mark next year's London Hat Week, a week long international millinery event, staged across Central London in...
2018 Spring workshop dates announced
I am delighted to announce that I will be running the following Spring '18 workshops, firstly at The Bowes Museum, Co DurhamAnd a series...
Now at The Design Room, Fenwick of York
Margaret Woodliff Wright Millinery is now available at The Design Room, Fenwick of York.I'm really looking forward to Tuesday November 7th...
le recyclage is featured in Machine Knitting Monthly
Its great when my millinery work is featured in the press and I was delighted when Keith Newman of Highlights PR contacted me to say that...
Featured in The Supplier Edit – Girl Gets Wed
Imagine how I was delighted when I was approached by Michelle of the exciting Girl Gets Wed company who wanted to write a feature on my...
Featured as a Durham University Hild Bede Alumni
I'm never quite sure how to react when something delightful and unexpected happens on the PR front, similar to what occurred earlier this...
The Northumberland Milliner to be featured at Fenwick of York
I am very excited to have been asked to put together another collection of millinery for the latest race week at York Race Course, for The...
All ready for the “Off” at Fenwicks of York
After an exciting Autumn ’16, when a number of my millinery headpieces were selected for international millinery exhibitions, I was...
Launching new lines at Belford Arts Festival
Just back from a great couple of days at Belford Arts Festival, where despite the unrelenting rain, mist & unseasonably damp & chilly...
Nicole – Thinking Pink for Kickin’ Cancer
I am delighted to have made a beautiful new piece "Nicole" - a fund raiser for the Kickin' Cancer campaign.Nicole - seen here displayed in...
An English Country Garden is Homewards Bound!
After the return of "An English Country Garden" from its successful trip to MIMC in February in Melbourne, the culmination of the...
We went Loopy at Gallery Forty5
On Saturday May 27th a small group of enthusiastic beginners gathered in The Long Room, Gallery Forty5, Felton, Northumberland for a...
Great early summer Northumberland wedding image!
A little time ago I was commissioned by a lovely lady called Ann to design and make a hat for her to wear to a very special wedding, which...
Showcase for S/S 17 Collections At Fenwick of York
I do hope you will be able to join Erica & I at Fenwick of York on Thursday 18th, where we are excited to have been invited to part in the...
Heald wires & weft featured in cutting edge media
Last Autumn Tony Wellington, Creative Director and force behind The Bite, the London based online fashion and lifestyle magazine, was a...
Great commissions
Thought I would post this lovely mother and daughter image of a commission from last summer. The mother and bride pride and joy shines out...
An English Country Garden – went to Melbourne!
In the summer of 2016 I enrolled into a world wide group of nine milliners. The aim of the group was to challenge its members by supplying...
Recycling pieces feature in February’s Machine Knitting Monthly
I have realised that I enjoy the challenge of making head pieces and hats from recycled materials! I think what's so lovely about recycled...
Whirlwind trip to London Hat Week
Brilliant trip to London for launch parties of The MillinerXArtisan exhibition & The Cupola international hat exhibitions to mark London...
Topping off your topper!!
Following on from a successful workshop at The Laing Gallery to make miniature top hats from scratch, I led a great follow on workshop on...
All things millinery with the BBC’s Sue Sweeney!
Well nerves were all of a jitter a couple of days ago when I got the call from Keith Newman of HighlightsPR, who had spotted that I had...
XTerrace Exhibtion – Pre Press Preview in Petticoat Lane
Just back from a great afternoon yesterday with the XTerrace Platform team in Petticoat lane, E1, to help launch the official hat...
The North of England Wedding Awards – Sept 18th
Just heard that I have made it through to the finals of The North of England Wedding Awards aka The Wedding Guide UK. Delighted and amazed...
Wedding hats!
Delighted to be commissioned by two lovely clients, mother of the bride Ann Owen Smith, and guest Gina Davidson to make head pieces for...
Masterclass with Eugenie van Oirschot
Sharing and pooling knowledge with other milliners is key to one's creative development as a milliner. Learning from milliners who are at...
The excitement is building! Charity Auction 1.30pm
The final game of the season rugby season takes place tomorrow at the Alnwick Greensfield Ground, NE66 1BE, when Alnwick 1sts will be...
Thank you from Mad about Hats!
On behalf of HospiceCare Northumberland "The Mad about Hats" team would like to thank everyone who joined us Afternoon Tea at Paxton House...
Mad about Hats – its a sell out!
Get ready to don your favourite headpiece for - I'll be wearing my latest - Mad about Hats! See you there for afternoon tea Paxton House...
New images of latest work – AW 15 collection
Just back from spending an exciting week with Alex Gaites at Leeds College of Art learning how to improve the quality of my photography....
Up-cycling comes to Northumberland!
I was delighted when I was contacted by Erica who needed a headpiece to co-ordinate with her lovely Whistles shift dress featuring passion...
New images for One Hundred Years Collection
Just received some new images from the Hat Museum, Stockport,of The One Hundred Year Collection and thought I would share them with you!...
Ready Ay Ready – Merchiston celebrates Burns Night!
To help with the charity fund raising Burns Night celebrations at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh, I was inspired to create a capsule...
She loves me & She loves me (not?) are featured in Hatalk
The One Hundred Years Collection, which is now on show at the new Making Headway selling exhibition at The Museum of Hatting, Stockport,...
One Hundred Years is featured in the Newcastle Journal
On November 28th Barbara Hodgson, the Culture Reporter of the Newcastle Journal and Evening Chronicle ran an online article in the...
One Hundred Years – a Second Collection for Making Headway
"One Hundred Years" is a collection of couture millinery and was inspired by WW1 memorabilia, including museum collections of WW1...
One Hundred Years – design inspirations
Sweetheart Pincushions Tradition relates that Queen Victoria felt homesick infantry posted abroad should be kept busy. So starting in...
Belle Bridal AW 2014
AW 2014 Belle Bridal. I am delighted to have my latest ranges featured in the latest edition of the Belle Bridal, the prestigious luxury...
Making Headway film released!
A momentous weekend at Stockport - captured in an entrancing short film.The Making Headway catwalk show took place May 17th, in the...
Making Headway makes headlines at the Northumberland Gazette!
As you may know Making Headway is a project based at the National Hat Museum, in Stockport, in which I am currently involved. The project...
Gorgeous new images by Matt McGurk
Following on from the event at Rothbury Golf Club, Matt has just sent me these lovely new images of my latest workThe table settings are...
Inspired by Ronot-Tutin
This is my latest piece also for a competition, this time for the Victoria & Albert - in conjunction with Morley College.A condition of...
When Alice (by Temperley) met Maggie!
I feel very privileged to have my pieces featured in the gorgeous Alice (by Temperley) windows at Fenwick of Newcastle.I was delighted on...
Graduation!
It was a very exciting day - along with the LCA 2013 alumni our Millinery group graduated from Leeds College of Art the culmination of two...