The Hat Channel Mag - December

C R E AT E A CHRISTMAS C O R S AG E Take some time for yourself, and try out some christmas crafts.

TAKE A LOOK INTO LIFE WITH

“. . .W E A R SOMETHING DA R I N G ! ”

- Mathne

ANTHONY WILLIAMS!

Do you have A PA S S I O N

F O R FA S H I O N ?

Karen Gold certainly does. Read about her journey in the world of fashion, and learn what hats work best with her creations.

DECEMBER 2020 T H E H ATC H A N N E L . C O M

02032 826 623

@ H ATC H A N N E LT V

@ T H E H AT H I S TO R I A N

W E LC O M E Dear Readers,

A new December, nothing like times gone by. As a ‘Digital Christmas’ approaches we can step up and embrace new experiences. How can we bring our family together, make them laugh and feel the love? Making something is a great start.

Using tactile ‘dressing up’ and maybe planning some special Christmas games could add some laughter. It is about making it new and exciting. Use all our senses, introduce some music and send a scented candle with a Christmas fragrance. No, not burnt mince pies!

The parts of the festive holiday that we didn’t enjoy can disappear! Building on our computer platform, using technology to alter our faces, adding a ‘face paint’ look are all possibilities.

Involving the younger members of the family, planning a theme adds ‘ownership’ and brings more inclusivity to the event.

two hats and a scarf make a huge headpiece for the celebrations too.

Sending out a ‘party pack’ feels that it may bring us together as one group.

Playing games with added improvisation add a new dimension too. A great sustainable action for us all. No traffic jams, no mileage to clock up, a lazy morning before a zoom call before lunch. Later, ‘virtual get together’ for games and laughter. Curl up and think, Christmas can follow your rules and be the best Christmas ever.

Remember it is cold out there.

Wear a hat, stay warm and most importantly, stay safe.

Time is another luxury that can be allocated to make a Zoom Party finish with energy and laughter. If it goes on too long the group may run out of ideas.

You can meet friends and family from around the world to all take part in the same party. The options are endless.

Dressing up is both fun and enjoyable.

Using the clothes you have in different ways adds drama. A shirt tied round the head, adding that old hat too. Choosing T H E H ATC H A N N E L . C O M

02032 826 623

W I S H I N G YO U & YO U R FA M I LY C H R I S T M A S J OY.

@ H ATC H A N N E LT V

@ T H E H AT H I S TO R I A N

4

A PA S S I O N F O R FA S H I O N

7

A CHRISTMAS ELF

11 12 FLEECE AND FUR

J U S T A H AT

16 17

H AT S AT H O M E . . .

A CHRISTMAS CORSAGE

A LO O K - A N T H O N Y WILLIAMS

TA B L E O F

CONTENTS COPYRIGHT © 2020 THE HAT CHANNEL LTD. The Hat Channel Mag is published by The Hat Channel Magazine.

Editorial: editor@thehatchannel.com | Advertising: sales@thehatchannel.com Telephone: 020 3282 6623 | Website: www.thehatchannel.com Head office: Suite 2, 14 Union Street, Stroud, Glos, GL5 2HE London office: Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LT

19

PERFECTION

22

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! T H E S TO R Y COMES ALIVE

27

T H E H I S TO R Y O F. .

T H E TO R Q U E BLANCH

No material may be reproduced in any way, or translated, without written permission of the publishers.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly, but The Hat Channel cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of the publication.

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor.

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT. Page 4 - 6: Colin Chau and Justmichaelakstudios Page 12 - 15: Scott Collier - @scotthephotographer | Page 17 & 18: Anthony Williams Page 19 - 21: @max_a_hatter or shop.maxahatter.com | Page 24 - 26: @andycopps

24 29

MAKE A SPLASH

30

T H E H AT V E N T C A L E N DA R

APASSIONFOR Made redundant in her

a passion but only at this

thriving career as a

point did it become a

business lawyer, Karen

reality.

stepped back and gave herself time to reflect.

Supported by the people

She enrolled in a

around her, she was able

stitching course and

to take her vision onto

followed a dream. This

the catwalk. Her

was freedom, learning to

seamstresses took

sew.

her ideas and created

Fashion

individual,

had

stunning

been

outfits.

These new designs were noticed.

A fresh look at garments meant Karen had the edge on her competitors.

Ideas come to her in a flash. There is no timely process.

Each inspiration

Once an idea has landed

arrives in its’

she goes out in search of

own time.

the right fabric. She has to see it to visualise it and feel it. A mental picture helps her make the right choices.

Her latest collection hit her website yesterday. This was a mammoth task to bring her work to market. The steps are endless.

She is meticulous.

Her factory is in the heart of Tottenham. Her aim is to keep an eye on the work, check the quality and offer a supportive working environment for her staff.

Transportation is under her control. Each garment is checked and finished

by Karen herself.

A little look at the detail

reveals some loose fitting

Hats are a natural

colours in the

dresses. The Miya offers a

combination with my new

garment like

relaxed feel that can be

men’s jackets.

white or blue

worn day or night with an

or black

optional belt to pinch

Jackets that stand out in a

in the waist. While the

crowd are spectacular

Karen dress is more like

with hats. When making a

the fashion designer

statement, there is

herself - a vintage

nothing better than

1950’s style with a modern twist.

or

wearing a hat. A rigid bowler hat works well with a shimmering jacket. Black is a

Using high

great colour

quality

while matching

jacquard

tones could

fabrics with

work. Even a

a fitted top

contrast could

and flared

give a stunning

step into a neutral palette

skirt.

effect with a

for all the accessories.

matching pocket square.

A fedora or a beret can be worn with the Maya

Karen

monochrome maxi dress.

suggests a

Soft lines show a magical

cocktail

silhouette. The hat adds to the look, creates some drama and makes heads

A large

turn.

boxed collar adds

fascinator to

even more

finish off an

drama to her

outfit. Use

creation.

one of the

S H O P T H E S E O U T F I T S AT K A R E N G O L D. LO N D O N

with a touch of fairy dust...

A CHRISTMAS ELF

Nina Dales can transform a

to reach a goal that links

bunch of flowers into an

ideas and style for the best

exquisite, architectural

possible outcome.

sculpture that has life and

She always takes her venue

flows in an elegant way.

into consideration as part of

Each cascade is alive with

her brief. Flowers and style

movements, colours

have to fit the location, build

harmonise and shape is

harmony within the era and a sense of joy in their colour

transformational.

combinations. Each project is

She has a gift.

individual and brings together a plethora of ideas.

A bunch of flowers can be styled in ways

Her knowledge sets her

that change them. A

apart. From foliage and flora

designer can build a

each element is planned to

creation that forms layers of texture. The depth and structure start with an idea, builds with a plan and forms a design. Nina has experience and an eye for detail combined it’s her passion to develop ideas from her customers too. She explains that it is a journey

perfection. Plants have A B U N C H O F F LO W E R S C A N B E S T Y L E D I N W AY S T H AT C H A N G E T H E M .

developed over time. The

designed in detail. A

leaves and generating the

right look in a historic

headpiece is linked to the

shape in preparation for

setting is important but

shape of the head, her

the flowers.)

there is always room to

hairstyle and the detail of her wedding gown.

A recent commission

While the

involved a wedding with a

decorations for the

meeting of cultures. An

ceremony and the

English bride and an

wedding

Indian groom wanted to

celebrations are

make a statement of

harmonised with the

exotic flowers with soft

bride and groom’s

English blooms.

ideas, their venue, the theme and even their wedding

‘GREENING’ IS DONE B E F O R E T H E D I S P L AY IS MADE.

invitations, no stone

Marked in pink, royal blue

is left unturned.

and a regal green linked with elegant peacock

Her work takes her around the county HER KNOWLEDGE S E T S H E R A PA R T.

with a schedule

push the boundaries a

heads. She may

little. Great expectations

get up at 2am to

with a twist for the

start the bridal

outcome.

flowers to deliver

that would turn

or have collection Weddings are a joy to

by breakfast time

Nina. She likes to get

on the day of the

‘inside’ the head of her

wedding.

bride to realise her

‘Greening’ is done

dream. Floral garlands,

before the display

buttonhole corsages and

is made. (This

the bride’s bouquets are

involves using the

feathers; Nina chose

authentic to the

include wedding flowers,

building,

some pressed flowers in

designed to a

glass with special

brief with a touch

messages like ‘Happy

of glamour and a

Birthday’. Working with a

sprinkle of ‘fairy

local shop her designs are

dust’. These

sealed for posterity.

projects are

Button Pocket Squares are

planned in detail;

popping in her head.

entail an entire

These innovative

team to create the

creations add a pop of

look and exquisite

colour, a touch of class

dedication. They

and stylish glamour.

work through the pink-carnations, dark blue delphiniums with orchids and bear grasses.

. . . . A TO U C H O F GLAMOUR AND A SPRINKLE OF ‘ FA I R Y D U S T ’

Added to these stunning

She aims to challenge herself try new ideas and make designs that have not yet been imagined.

peacock feathers, she

night and continue after

designed a compact ring

everyone has left the

of flowers marked with tall

palace to bring the ‘magic

bamboo sticks and

of Christmas’ alive.

tapering bear grass detail,

Staircase, mural and

and layerings are key

ledges are all part of the

components.

scene. We can only glimpse these

Hidden in her repertoire,

masterpieces

Nina is also one of the

in magazines

‘Christmas Elves’ that

while Nina’s

decorates the Christmas

lips are

Palaces. She works with

sealed.

the team to give a spectacular feel to a

Her latest

design plan. Both

projects

W ATC H T H I S S PA C E !

F O L LO W H E R J O U R N E Y

@ S Y M P H O N YO F F LO W E R S U K

THE

L A N G UA G E O F H AT S

FLEECE AND FUR D O N YO U R W A R M H AT LINED WITH FUR

H AT T I E K I N G @ B Y _ H AT T I E _ K I N G

G E T H AT T I E ’ S L AT E S T B O O K H E R E

JUST A A H AT I S P R A C T I C A L AND FINISHES OFF A LO O K .

happiness.

The right clothes give you

could be a hat.

confidence, make you

Your choice of

look younger and offer

clothes and

clothes that wrap around

accessories impact on your feelings.

Decisions on what to

A hat is practical and

wear present themselves

finishes off a look.

daily. Styling success

They are practical

encourages us to wear

and a secret from

eight or nine points of

Manthe can cover up

interest.

any manner of hair situations! A bad hair

Manthe, who owns ‘The

day would benefit

Grace and Style’

from the attrition of

explained that these

headgear. On a

points are varied and link

sunny day, your head

to the character of the

is protected and you

wearer. One of them

shine with

your body shape. Sounds

colours in our

like a winner to me.

homes and

Manthe goes on the say

colours around us.

that colour is the most

Artists have

signiďŹ cant feature. Get the

followed their own

correct colours and your

feelings and

skin tone glows. Once you

picked particular

have established the

sections of the

accurate shades and

spectrum. Jack

tones for you, these

Vettriano, David

colour hues work for life.

Hockney, Monet and Van Gogh all

N AT U R A L B E AU T Y O F F E R S M O R E TO T H I S R I C H S PAC E IN WHICH WE LIVE.

kept within their favoured range, from striking ......

certainly got Manthe

yellow based tones, to

noticed as she has

cool shades and warm

become the Mayfair

muted strokes. Natural

Ambassador for 2020

Colours are determined

beauty oers more to this

by many factors in our

rich space in which we

lives; our favourite

live.

colours, negotiated

This approach has

C LOT H E S A R E T H E BACKDROP FOR THE COMPOSITION OF YO U R LO O K .

with community work to

the backdrop

lift the spirits of everyone

for the

who both live and work in

composition

the areas and beyond.

of your look.

Her passion for dressing

It must be

up began as a child. Her

authentic and

mother’s button box was a

true to you.

favourite place to delve

Within the

into and find ‘jewels’ that

style world

sparked in the sunlight.

there is plenty of freedom to

She continues to follow

repurpose

her passion by adding

clothes, buy

antique elements to

vintage and

outfits, decorating and

examine your

layering all add drama to

own wardrobe, as Manthe

accessories and finally

your final image. Detail

would say, ‘Do you have

don that hat, you are

matters; look at every part

any clothes living rent free

ready for everything.

of your attire. Clothes are

in your wardrobe?’. Hats on the other hand have a right to their space. No one ever throws away a

. . . D O N T H AT H AT, YO U A R E R E A DY FOR EVERYTHING.

hat.

A Christmas style tip from The hat may turn heads,

our top London Stylist.

showcase your look and

Avoid black and be jolly

frame your face. So the

with merry vivid colours.

outfit you wear needs to

Don’t be afraid to push

be the right colour, have

the boat out and wear

the style that suits you

something daring with a

and be comfortable for

matching hat.

the next step. Wear the clothes, add the

LEARN MORE ABOUT MANTHE

@ S T LY E _ M AV E N E R

“. . .W E A R S O M E T H I N G DA R I N G �

Manthe Penton Harrap

A

christmas CORSAGE

A flourish of foliage mingles with repurposed materials, our resident florist Nina Dales shares her step by step instructions to make your very own Christmas Corsage.

Forming a basic template for hat augmentation or a lapel decoration. Adding texture, colour and layers will transform your look.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Nina uses her knowledge of plants and flowers to help us choose pieces for our decoration. An angel turned, the leaf formation all add to the whole, from elements in their own right to a festive combination for the holidays.

Visit The Hat Channel TV YouTube for a step by step video for how to complete your Christmas corsage

ith w n I d e k n i L n o Connect

A LOOK

ANTHONY WILLIAMS His natural talent attracts customers; he needs to stand out as the guest host. An outfit that would turn heads, a flat cap was his trade mark. Everyone could find him. He stood out from the crowd. More hats

A F L AT C A P W A S H I S TRADE MARK.

have been added to his collection. He wears hats

Anthony uses his trade

for business, hats for

mark hat to brand his

pleasure and hats to just

management style. It all

put on his head.

began with dialogues in a

Anthony can be

meet and greet for

seen wearing a

friends. His skills bring

blazer or

people together in

waistcoat and of

special venues. Gradually,

course a familiar

he was noticed as the

flat cap. Made

man who could control an

from fine wool

event. He brought in

these flat caps

more and more new

continue to do

clients.

him service. At

HE FINDS THEY WALK I N A S C U S TO M E R S A N D L E AV E TO RETURN AGAIN AS FRIENDS.

the start, he went to

difficult situation before it

straw ‘Crocodile Dundee’

charity shops to find his

gets ugly with his

hat. Many people start

clothes and work out a

connections and people

conversations about the

mix and match that gave

around him. He can

hat and move on to their

him a ‘jump start’ on his

neutralise the situation

needs for their visit to the

look. Later more clothing

with the way he conducts

venue.

brands and independent

himself.

shops wanted him to wear their creative brands.

Now, he chooses from the

He finds they walk in as M A N Y P E O P L E S TA R T C O N V E R S AT I O N S A B O U T T H E H AT . . .

best and continues his fashion statements.

customers and leave to return again as friends.

Head hunted for his latest

He rarely has to call for

job at sought after venue

the security team to sort

at ‘The Sky Bar’ in The

He finds that his clothes

out a problem.

Hilton Hotel, Anthony has

offer a better model for

Even the seasons do not

an extensive collection of

customers to take him

deter him from hat

hats; from trucker caps to

seriously. He uses his

wearing. The summer

baseball caps to Beanies

status to befriend his

heat offered him an

they all have a place in

clients and can break up a

opportunity to wear a

this hat collection.

AS PRETTY AS ROSE PETALS, BLOOMING IN SPRINGTIME. Art Exhibition Canada

Get in touch to discover your next hat creation from Christine’s Atelier Millinery Bringing your imaginations to life in wearable art and design aesthetics

@christinesatelier | christinesatelier.com | info@christinesatelier.com | Stockist: @myqlady

PERFECTION Max has a passion born

wanted was to make them

and had the right

out of his personal drive

himself. No more

proportions to meet his

for hats. He was always

searching for the right hat

exacting requirements.

trying to buy hats. He

- by creating his own, he

loves the Tibetan

could reach his goal. He

Max perfected his skills to

Cowboys, Congolese

knew how to change hats

produce hats that have

Sapeurs and Yardies for

but now he must make

high crowns and sit high

their individual styles.

the whole hat from

on the head. This look was

scratch.

inspired by the Cholitas

He went to great lengths, buying second-hand hats and re-blocking them to

from Bolivia who wear A P I V OTA L M O M E N T CAME WHILE SITTING AT H E AT H R O W . . .

emphasise the open

bowler hats that sit perched on the front of their heads just above

crown he was looking for.

Opening his own studio,

their foreheads. Even the

Stopped in the street, hats

set on an island was an

cushions were

orders came from

idyllic and

strangers wanting to

practical

recreate his look. Friends

solution.

who couldn’t ďŹ nd hats like

Learning the

his and are keen to have

skills from an

both a hat and a strategic

experienced

cushion to lift and tilt.

hatter was a dream come

A pivotal moment came

true. Now he

while sitting at Heathrow.

could

He was approached to

concentrate

make another hat using

on his

his customised cushion.

passion,

He decided the only way

make hats

to create the hats that he

that felt right,

experiments

unusual shapes with open

that developed

crowns. This is a rounded

to the

domed crown with a

comfortable

distinctive pleat that trade

place they are

marks Max’s hat designs.

now. Enclosed

Crafted with felt or fur a

within exotic

hood is worked with

African prints,

steam and blocked. The

these waxed

open crown is achieved

fabrics, in

giving the hat a regal look

simple abstracts and pop art forms, are soft and

THE OPEN CROWN IS ACHIEVED GIVING T H E H AT A R E G A L LO O K O N T H E TO P O F T H E H E A D.

offer a one of a kind look with

on the top of the head.

limited runs of

Max is keen to make his

each pattern.

hats as sustainable of

When the

possible by using natural

cushion is

stiffeners and wool or fur

tightened the

hood. The fur ones have

hat sits taller,

some rabbit fur, a by

while loosening

product of rabbit farming,

the tie brings

mixed into the wool

the hat nearer

giving a very soft felt.

to the forehead.

Furthermore, the wool is all natural too. Of course

He sets felt and

working with old hats and

fur caps for his

re-blocking them is

winter hats. In

another way. Max often

the summer,

uses this approach too.

straw is worked to make

When you put it on, it is

your instinct that takes over. Go with the ow and you will enjoy your new hat. It is the wearer of the hat that transforms it from being

M A X E X P L A I N S T H AT NO ONE CAN CHOOSE A H AT F O R YO U.

a hat, to a magniďŹ cent hat.

It brings it alive. The

between artists has

adventurous styles. He

greatest joy for Max is

resulted in unique hats

likes to hold on to a style

when a customer sends a

that showcase as unique

and add a twist. The

photograph of

images. Artistry and

colour range is driven by

themselves wearing one

craftsmanship combine to

supply and demand. Pick

of his hats. It transmits the

reach showstoppers. Max

wisely because no hat is

joy of the wearer.

likes to collaborate and is

replicated. Designs may

open to more

be similar but never

Max explains that no one

opportunities in this area.

identical. His new

can choose a hat for you.

Some of his hats were

collection of caps with the

beaded and blocked with

open crown will be out

amazing results. I am sure

soon.

Some collaboration

more new creations are in the pipeline.

P I C K W I S E LY B E C AU S E N O H AT I S R E P L I C AT E D.

He continues to make bowler hats

F O L LO W H I S STO R Y

and push the

@ M A X _ A _ H AT T E R

envelop to more

LIGHTS, CAMERA,

ACTION! A man in a red suit wearing a matching hat with a white fur trim. You may think he is familiar.

...CAPTURED THE I M A G I N AT I O N O F T H E N AT I O N A N D T H E W O R L D.

If we look closely at these Christmas traditions around the world, there is often a character to

This fashion trend all

A Coca-Cola advert

distribute gifts. The names

began with a bottle of

designed by Clement

vary across the globe but

pop. The billboard advert

Clarke Moore and

all have a link to children.

for a popular product

Thomas Nast took the

From mid-December

captured the imagination

fancy of the masses. At

country-wide rituals have

of the nation and the

the time, a charity wanted

been handed down over

world.

to raise some money and

the generations.

constructed a larger-than-life model.

There are links back to a

Crowds ocked to see

Saint 2000 years ago, who

it. Later the Salvation

wanted to help the poor

Army dressed as Father

children. Saint Nicholas

Christmas’s to give presents to the

was a Greek Christian Bishop born in Myra in

children to pay

Lycia (now in modern-day

for the free

Turkey). He had to

Christmas

disguise his gifts to

lunches they

support the parents who

provided for the

were not willing to accept

poor. This

charity. His ingenuity was

popular trend

second to none.

has continued.

Supporting families in a

covert way was a masterly

presents.

way forward.

The names; Père Furthermore, stories of

Noël in France to

calming the seas and

Papai Noel in Brazil

miracles gave him

resonate with us

notoriety. He rates as the

all. Having all been

most popular non-biblical

children once, we

Saint around the world.

have memories of

The symbols depicting a

laughter and

sea faring traveller

happy times with

offering a safe journey still

our families.

exist: a Miter [a pointed

Presents to give

Bishop’s hat], a ship, three

and receive all

pots of gold all link to his

added to the joy of

miraculous stories. Less

Christmas.

glitter and glamour than our branding from Coca

Christmas is a

Cola.

Christian tradition that has moved

The adaptations and

around the globe. Father

changes range from a

Christmas began with a

The full beard and wild or

goat in Finland

tan outfit in the 19th

long hair goes back in

Joulupukki, to an old

Century due to the dyes

time. From an

Christmas man in Chile, a

available at the time. He

advertisement lit to attract

couple, Grandfather and

took a green suit with a

attention to the current

Grandmother Frost in

garland of foliage

day Father Christmas,

Russia linked the

adorning his head,

Santa Claus and Kris

Orthodox calendar and

looking like a forest

Kringle from the

Christmas lads in Iceland

creature with all the

Hollywood screen, this

to name but a few. Even a

sustainable credentials

character is larger than

log depicted as a cartoon

required in the current

life and lives on in our

image in Catalonia

style trends.

hearts for Christmas’s into

features as the giver of

our future.

THE STORY COMES Who is he, under that

situation,

hat? A voice, an

delve into

emotional interface and

the characters and

an audience: a story is so

craft the plot, but this is

this starts to offer a rich

much more than words

not enough. A story

and rewarding

on a page.

comes alive with the

experience.

listener understands and

audience’s energy and Stories were passed down

the skills of the story

Andy wears a brown flat

by word of mouth from

teller.

cap for his story telling.

families and village

Each story is a mix of

He shared one story

communities to the eager

senses and emotions. A

telling experience with

listeners. From one

voice and hat offer new

about one hundred

generation to another, stories from ‘the old days’ have existed and stood

HE SHARED HIS JOURNEY A N D T H E R O L E O F H AT S IN THIS WORK.

the test of time. A good

characteristics using visual

story has to reach its

silhouettes with

audience and provoke

accompanying

some feelings; empathy,

words. A hat ‘on’

imagination and emotion.

for one character and a hat ‘off’ for

I met a real ‘story teller’,

the other give a

Andy Copps, recently. He

possible dialogue

shared his journey and

staged by a single

the role of hats in this

story teller. Add to

work. A hat offers the

the mix the

opportunity to create

authenticity of the

different characters. The

story content to

atmosphere can change

the audience and

with each new audience.

you find

Words shape the

something that the

children. A short way through his story a little girl with her support care worker gave him a folded

note. He thanked her and

time for people to

put it to one side and

engage with a story

continued his story. A little

and then to react.

later, the same little girl

One of the key

held out a second folded

elements is the actual

note. Further through the

story. He finds out as

same story she came up

much as he can about

holding out a third note.

his audience

Her support staff helper

beforehand so that he

said, ‘She wants you to

can choose the right

open it.’ Andy stopped,

tale. He uses South

EACH LISTENER MAKES S E N S E O F W H AT T H E Y H E A R I N T H E I R O W N W AY.

African stories, from his own childhood, Greek

The hat drives attention to

myths and tales from the

the wearer - the story

took this folded note and

West Indies and beyond.

teller in this case. Different

opened it. It was the little

Each story has an identity;

hats may define new

girl’s interpretation, in

the storyteller uses their

characters and be used to

pictures, of the story as it

own interpretation and

generate a time lapse.

progressed. She had

the story telling

The nature of the hats

shown her own

performance is ready to

varies depending on the

imagination in a sequence

share. Each new audience

stories. A magician may

of sketches. He had

will bring their own

wear a top hat but it might

unlocked her vivid

energy and create a new

be difficult to visualise this

imagination in her

atmosphere for the same

character in a baseball

interpretation of the story.

story.

cap. Each image is built

Each listener makes sense

up with the elaborate

of what they hear in their

There are no duplications.

layers, creating a different

own way.

Chalking Stories share the

vision for each member of

journey of the characters

the audience. Linked to

Puppets also offer a visual

depicted by puppets.

the familiar and

support. Some miniature

Even the same story will

expanding into a new

hats can make the story

change when told at a

realm, stories can take

image more defined. As

different time.

you on a journey that is

Andy explained, it takes

unique to you, the

listener. Every hat tells a

sensible corporate path.

streamed performance is

story too.

His passion lingered at

on offer.

the back of his mind.

Andy has always been

Eventually, encouraged

There are some exciting

fascinated in stories. He

by his family he stepped

events under wraps for

has very fond memories

into his land of stories. He

our festive delight that I

of visiting his

meets people and uses

have managed to prize

grandparents where he

the method from long

out of him. A story in a

was given the opportunity

ago, people tell him

grandfather or

to wear his grandfather’s

stories. Hearing,

grandmother’s voice?

hat. Each hat gave him

interpreting and making

How amazing would that

chances to take new roles

sense of what he hears

be? Andy will work with

in his play. A delightful

helps him to build and

you to record your own

time to explore hats of all

ever larger repertoire of

stories in your own voice

shapes and sizes. He

tales.

for anyone in the family

played, took on

and for many generations

characters in his

He jumped at the

in the future. This is a

make-believe world that

opportunity to hold a

unique and special

unlocked his imagination.

licence for a Roald Dahl

present; a moment in time

story, ‘Billy and the

for a grandchild and yes

This has never left him. He

Minpins’ to perform in

the grandchild can record

grew up and took the

schools. His creativity has

for an older family

led him towards new

member or close friend

digital experiences, from

too. Various options are

podcasts to puppetry

available to make this

and beyond. He loves to

affordable and inclusive

tell virtual campfire

to all, Andy is always

stories too. A zoom party

happy to have a chat so

can feature so much.

contact him today.

As we move towards a ‘Digital Christmas’ Andy

HE IS KEEPING THESE P L A N S U N D E R H I S H AT !

provides us with so much. A virtual ticket for the family to join in a live

K E E P U P TO DAT E

@ A N DYC O P P S

THE TO R Q U E BLANCH

H I S TO R Y O F. . .

Yule tide preparations have centred around food

... ALL STRIVE PRODUCE SOME NEW CUISINE.

for centuries. Back in the

Right back to the seventh century, the Assyrian King was worried about being poisoned. The chef had the most opportunity to do this. As a precaution, the king gave the chef a special hat, similar to the royal household so he

day, King Henry VIII took

The origin of a chef’s hat

would feel more respect

feasting to a new level.

is surrounded by many

and allegiance to his king.

stories. Poison is Banquets were a

mentioned, death could

Medieval-kitchens were

celebration, created as

be a consequence and

full of fat - open fires and

works of art. Add to the

the cleanliness of the

animal cooking meant the

mix new exotic tastes,

kitchen a fact that

ceilings were left with the

food was important. He

intertwined into the rich

congealed fats from the

liked to explore new ideas

dramatic history of this

cooking. Sometimes

and offer his guests

fine upstanding hat.

these congealed messes

unique flavours. Chef’s continue this tradition to this day.

New combinations, celebrity chefs offer new dishes, gourmet dishes and supermarkets all strive produce some new cuisine.

would fall on the chef’s head. The hat was

Across the

protection from this

channel in

although nothing stopped

France, hats

this from dropping in the

had

food!

changed colour. In

A meal was served from

Britain the

King Henry VIII’s kitchen

chef’s hat was black. La

represented the culinary

with a hair in the soup.

Toque Blanche was a

skills of the chef while the

The head chef was

brimless white hat. The

height symbolised

beheaded. The new

pleats represented the

seniority. The head chef

replacement chef was

skill of the chef. The more

wore the tallest hat. In

very worried about his

dishes he could cook the

contrast today, hats are

future, so began the wear

more pleats he had in this

worn for the hygiene of

a chef’s hat to keep hair

hat. Eventually, the chef’s

the kitchen. A trend to

out of the food.

hat had 100 pleats to

shave the head has seen a

show he could cook an

reduction in the wearing

egg in one hundred

of hats too.

THE HEAD CHEF WAS B E H E A D E D.

different ways.

L A TO Q U E BLANCHE WAS A BRIMLESS W H I T E H AT.

As delicacies are shared over the festive period, families focus on their children. Rolling aromas float in the air, favourite

The white

festive recipes are

chef’s Toque

created; creative energy

was not a

fills the space. A

uniform but a

repertoire of ‘old

symbol of

favourites’ mixed with the

professional

new

skills. The pleats

... MAKE MEMORIES FOR CHRISTMAS.

Got a question? Ask us on our socials and we may answer it in our next issue!

MAKE A SPLASH

Q

@ H ATC H A N N E LT V

@ T H E H AT H I S TO R I A N

What can I do to avoid ‘hat hair’!?

Olga Geidane Hat lover and Mindset Coach

There is very little you can do!

Just a few thoughts:

A

- Make sure your hat is not too tight.

- Plan to redo your hair when you take off your hat.

- Don’t take your hat off!

- Put on a smaller hat when you go inside.

Have you got a question?

Get in touch with Tricia on her socials!

W H AT ’ S N E X T ?

January 2021

Judy Bentinck a highly acclaimed milliner with a wealth of knowledge heaps of experience and a story to share.

Lisa Newport, a stylist with a twist. Making our fashion items take on a new image. Hats at Home; turning an old jumper into a hat.

Rafa Peinador, who has worked with Stephen Jones share his insights and tips on hats.

The Hatvent 1

2

3

7

8

9

13

14

15

19

20

21

K E E P U P W I T H T H E H AT V E N T C A L E N DA R O N O U R S O C I A L S

Calendar

EACH DAY OF ADVENT, WE WILL BE REVEALING A NEW HAT IMAGE!

4

5

6

10

11

12

16

17

18

22

23

24

@ H ATC H A N N E LT V

@ T H E H AT H I S TO R I A N

DECEMBER 2020 T H E H ATC H A N N E L . C O M

02032 826 623

@ H ATC H A N N E LT V

@ T H E H AT H I S TO R I A N