Hats off to Dawn as she wins prestigious Design Competition

A Morley student is celebrating coming heads above her competitors after winning the prestigious Feltmakers Design Competition, an international award for those working towards a career in millinery.   

Dawn Wilson, a millinery student at Morley’s Chelsea Centre for Creative Industries, took part in the competition to create an innovative headwear design of her own. 

She emerged triumphant from a number of worldwide submissions and scooped the winning prize.  

Celebrating her win, Dawn said: “Thank you Feltmakers! I’m very excited to be a winner!” 

There was also further success for Morley’s millinery students when fellow student Pip Mayo came third in the international competition. 

The competition is tailored specifically for students, apprentices, and those who have recently launched headwear businesses of their own. There is no set theme. Entrants are encouraged to make innovative designs, to develop processes, shapes, and styles.  

Seven prizes are given overall, including one for artwork, which is submitted with each hat to show the thought process and inspiration behind the design, including the construction and any new developments used in the making. 

Vesna Pesic, Millinery Lecturer at Morley said: “All of Morley’s students that entered the competition this year made it to pre-selection. Their themes and techniques were far-ranging, and the standard of work was high, with some quite extraordinary yet wearable headwear made.”