Course description
Course Description
This one year programme includes a series of projects designed to develop students' creativity and build on existing millinery skills. With a strong focus on design development and specialist couture techniques including hand-shaping, block-making and theatrical millinery. Contextual studies, visual studies and professional practise add breadth to studio work, alongside tutorials, workshops and lectures.
What background and qualifications do you need to join?
Applicants must have experience of millinery prior to starting the course, some art training- ideally an Art 'A' Level, and be able to produce written work in English to a good standard. IT skills are an advantage, as all written work must be word-processed.
What does the course involve?
This is a course for students with strong existing millinery skills who wish to pursue a career in millinery. It focuses on designing hats and developing the advanced skills required to realise your ideas. The course is made up of 10 units which are integrated within a number of exciting projects including Felts, Theatrical Millinery, Commercial Millinery, Couture Millinery, Block-Making and designing and realising a Final Collection of 5 hats.
Practical sessions are under-pinned by illustration and theory classes, including Historical & Contextual Studies and Professional Studies. Students are encouraged to source a work-placement with a London milliner.
Kensington & Chelsea College has a good working relationship with the millinery industry. HNC Millinery students regularly work on projects with Peter Jones of Sloane Square and Accessories Four of Luton, which have proved to be a fantastic encouragement.
The HNC Millinery course demands a major commitment of time and energy for 1 year. Students work in college for 3 days per week, with lots of homework, including some essays related to the theory subjects. Projects follow a pattern of research, design development, practical sessions and illustration, with approximately 2 days per week for practical work.
What books and equipment do I need?
Needles - Millinery / Straw needles- size 8, pins, drawing pins, thimble, white cotton thread, black cotton thread, scissors, sketch book – book rather than pad format (purchasable in college), assorted pens and pencils, empty jam jar + lid, interior 1" brush.
