Zara Gorman, whose commissions include designs for London 2012 and Lady Gaga, takes a look at one of her creations taking centre stage in Stockport
The hottest millinery showcase ever to hit Stockport is an unbridled haven of delights for hat fans and anyone intrigued by nifty headwear.
Impish catwalk sorcerer Stephen Jones is taking part, of course, as is Philip Treacy – he of fantastical creations for Alexander McQueen and Sex and the City – and Rachel Trevor-Morgan, the bonnet beautician to the Queen.
“It is great that Britain has this fantastic millinery heritage,” says Noel Stewart, whose visionary works of chic are no strangers to the hallowed pages of Vogue and Dazed and Confused, informed by an early spell at Christian Dior Couture.
“It’s a unique aspect of our culture. This exhibition gives designers like me a platform to show our work.”
More traditional techniques are represented through works by Sylvia Fletcher and Edwina Ibbotson, as well as pattern cutting ploys by Karen Henriksen and a range of designs to raise (or in some cases adorn) eyebrows from the likes of Zara Gorman and William Chambers.
- Open 10am-5pm (11am-5pm Sunday, closed Monday except Bank Holidays). Admission free. Guided tours at 1.15pm and 2.15pm (charges may apply).
