Hat-maker exhibits work at Silk Mill

The latest artist to take a studio in Frome’s Silk Mill Studios is milliner Marie-Louise Lowcock who re-located from the centre of the hat trade in Europe; Luton.

Looking for fresh inspiration she fell in love with the architecture of Frome coupled with the creative atmosphere whilst visiting a school friend, she knew she had to move.

“I knew this would be a brilliant place to make and sell my type of hats in,” Marie-Louise said.

“I’m thrilled to be in the Silk Mill because I’m passionate about industrial buildings and love working alongside other highly creative people.

“Kate Moore, who runs the Mill, and I share a lifelong interest in embroidery and I will be pursuing this in my designs.

“I make hats in many fabrics including traditional felt and a variety of straws, but it is silk that I especially enjoy handling.”

Making hats on a selection of traditional wooden blocks, and decorating them with a wide array of carefully sourced trimmings gives Marie-Louise’s creations their unique look.

She has attracted many famous clients including Jenny Bond, the Royal Correspondent, folk troubadour Pete Morton, actors John Gielgud, Timothy Dalton and Rod Steiger, and actresses Meryl Streep and Sarah Miles.

She has also appeared on television with broadcasters Sarah Kennedy in ‘Collectors Lot’, Liz Earl and Paul Martin on ‘Flog It!’ talking about the history and wearing of fine millinery.

Poet John Hegley asked Marie-Louise to make a hat for him for a BBC Radio Four programme and wrote a poem inspired by her enthusiasm, The Hats of Luton.

Trained at the London College of Fashion and studying at Winchester School of Art, Marie-Louise takes much of her inspiration from the past, particularly the Edwardian era with their ornate large hats and the 1920s quirky cloches. Yet she is not stuck in a time warp and is always looking to the future for inspiration.

The elegant emporium, De Hepe Interiors on Bath Street, are her Frome stockists of bespoke hats and bandeaux.