By occasion
Craft your one-of-a-kind natural rubber beret
3 hours initiation with Jo
Knowledge in the art of hat making
Your one-of-a-kind natural rubber beret
£80
per person
The workshop in detail
Embark on a creative adventure with Jo, renowned for her extraordinary headpieces and individual approach to the art of hat making. In this immersive 3-hour workshop, you'll delve into her world crafting a playfully sculptural natural rubber beret.
Throughout the workshop, Jo will guide you through a series of captivating steps, unveiling the secrets of her craft and sharing her expertise in hand moulding and finishing techniques. Alongside sharing her valuable experience of working with natural latex rubber and its properties.
Under Jo’s expert instruction you’ll decide the size of your beret, create a pattern and draw this onto woven cotton. This will then be affixed to a natural rubber ‘skin’ – a sheet material developed by and unique to the studio.
After allowing the assembled materials to cure, you'll carefully mark out the seam allowance, cut out the pattern and prepare it for stitching together using an industrial sewing machine.
After the base beret is formed you’ll hand mould and sculpt the final shape working on a mannequin head to experiment with the shape and style you desire. Once you have created a shape you are happy with, Jo will show you how to secure the form so that it retains the memory of this shape for years to come.
A number of options will be demonstrated for the beret stalk to add a personalised finishing touch, before learning how to make and fit a lining and head fitting.
After a final polish to make the natural rubber shine you’ll be a proud creator and owner of a truly original headpiece.
This workshop is not suitable for anyone with a latex allergy.
Workshop location
The workshop is easily accessible by public transport.
Additional information
Language of the workshop
English
Practical information
Please note that this workshop is not suitable for individuals with latex allergies.
Meet Jo
Milliner
Jo, a talented artist with a background and Bachelor of Arts Degree in fine art, has made a remarkable journey into the world of headwear and accessories. She retrained in millinery at Kensington and Chelsea College, before pursuing a Master's in millinery at the prestigious Royal College of Art in London. Upon graduating, Jo went on to hone her skills working for renowned milliner Stephen Jones for three years in his prestigious model department. Her dedication and talent caught the attention of Sarabande - the Lee Alexander McQueen foundation, which supported her for two years, allowing her to further push the boundaries of her craft.
Collaborating with luxury houses and regularly gracing the pages of renowned magazines such as the NY Times, Vanity Fair, and Vogue, Jo's work has garnered well-deserved recognition and has been worn and bought by celebrities such as Beyonce and Erykah Badu. Jo's studio, located in a former nunnery in East London provides a wonderful glimpse into her artistic world. The spacious studio, adorned with green plants and featuring white walls, exudes a welcoming atmosphere.
Jo is best Known for mastering materials such as resin and having an open whilst considered relationship to her materials. Over the past 10 years she has developed and refined her own processes with an inquisitive and experimental nature. This has led to her gaining a knowledge and material understanding that is unrivalled. In recent years she has refocused to explore alternatives to plastics, launching her first artisan rain hat collection in natural latex rubber in 2022.
Beyond her artistic pursuits, Jo's passion for teaching stems from her previous experience leading creative workshops within the community, schools and gallery settings for many years. Alongside this she has also taught extensively as a millinery tutor at Kensington and Chelsea College. She finds joy in sharing her expertise and knowledge with others, seeing it as a beautiful way to inspire and empower.
Jo’s studio is a true inspiration where you will see and experience first-hand her dedication to her artistry that shines through in every creation she brings to life.
Her workshops are a testament to her unrelenting energy for exploration, creativity and mastery of her craft.
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£80
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