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Judy Bentinck took time out from her busy schedule to share her personal and professional hat world with us. Her customers enjoy the memorable image that her hats create. With silhouettes that add drama to an event, catwalk cutting edge style and celebrity recognition, her achievements span a twenty year millinery experience and make her the ‘go to milliner’ for 2021.

She creates hats that standout in a crowd. Her designs are innovative. Her use of materials is a dream formation. Having studied textiles and printing at university, her knowledge gives her the edge to push a shape to its limit and create a new exciting form. This reflects her skills as a milliner.

Her customers come from near and far in her global market place. Every commission is tailored to an individual. Some people have a clear idea of what they want. Judy works tirelessly to help them reach the best ‘look’ to match their style that offers a statement on their character too. She explains that her customers must feel comfortable in their hat. This entails an image and detail to make the hat or headpiece unique.

Over the years Judy, nestled in a Cockpit Arts Studio in Holborn, has invited students to participate in millinery training. Her strategy allows each student to follow an individual path while learning the skills.She has a relaxed nature that veils her exacting standards that she expects of herself and her students. High demands offer a clear pathway to improving techniques with stunning results.

Even as a child, Judy loved wearing hats. Her printed textile designer training took her into theatre costume making and designing. She later deviated from her Art and Design teacher training to learn millinery skills with Rose Cory, the late Queen Mother’s milliner. It was eye opening as she knew that this was what she wanted. The opportunity to design and make hats was propelled forward.

She knows which hat will work best for an individual when they meet. Her instinct has always resulted in all her customers loving their hats. She lets them try on the hat ‘they think’ will work best first, after that she places the style that is harmonised with their proportions; head size, shape, height and features that all add to a final look. Her philosophy is, ‘Wear something that makes you feel comfortable, then forget what is on your head.’ Her customers usually choose her selection as it reflects an elegant style.

As we look closer at Judy’s work, she explains that the ‘Halo look’ will continue. A new design with Kintab - sinamay with a lurex weave. Coaxed into shape with blocking net and a sharp Petersham edge this hat has a fabulous shaped brim in a halo formation. Furthermore, the accent leaf shaped velvet and dupion silk trim offer stunning results. The back of the hat has a signature angle to balance the whole look and add drama.

The silhouette of her work uncovers a treasure trove of experience. Judy was offered some vintage hat blocks to add to her extensive collection that make up into elegant winter hats at this time of year. Not only is the shape a little different, as it hugs the head, the whole hat gives a little height to the crown and offers the wearer an image from the past, a moment at this time and a future to wear for upcoming events. A truly sustainable choice adorned with feathers for a head that wants to embrace an elegant look. A clearly sustainable approach to hat making, Judy chooses natural fibres. Nothing goes to waste. Using collection bins of material to reuse and repurpose.

Her style caught the attention of HRH Princess Beatrice. She was commissioned to make a halo but wanted it to be so much more. A Tudor inspired shape was designed by Judy to result in a complex wire shape built up with sinamay and covered in silk giving a clear silhouette that her Royal Highness wore to ‘The Trooping of the Colours’. This showed the world the exquisite work of Judy Bentinck. Hello Magazine increased her international coverage with links to her website too.

After sharing somecocktail pieces,fascinators andheadbands that flowaround the head, she haspromoted memorableimages on Zoom.Headbands are elegantand versatile.

Her work with students led her to write a book and put together a kit for individuals to make their own fascinators. Her kits are real, thought out and offer a step by step guide to creative your own ‘masterpiece’. As Judy explained, a hat can be a combination of parts, the way the hair falls around the head, the angle of the hat and the outfit all compliment the style to give a memorable look.

Judy revealed a glimpse of her tremendous new collection. A sea creatures theme was inspired by a documentary, ‘MyOctopus Teacher’ and the need for the Horseshoe Crab in the testing of the COVID19 vaccine. Using fluid fabrics, shapes and movement all contributed to the pieces in this collection. From recycled materials, marine elements and fluid sculptures hats will emerge into the ‘Atlantis Collection’.

As a founder member of ‘The BritishHat Guild’ and a member of the ‘Worshipful Company of Felt makers’ she represents some highly skilled organisations. Together, they support new milliners in a variety of ways and continue to promote and support British hat makers.

Her studio is moving and the new collection is developing with an abundance of sketches. A new space, the same light and familiar surrounds, so the creative adventure continues.

Shop her looks at JUDYBENTINCK.COM