Janie Lashford's School of Millinery

Welcome to my School of Millinery.

I have spent my life studying fabrics and understanding how to manipulate and shape them into sculptural forms.
I would now like to pass this knowledge onto you.

I have created a well lit and fully equipped class room at the end of my garden in the heart of the countryside.
I would now like to invite you to come and study at my Couture Millinery School.

In my early 20’s my love of Fabric and Fashion led me to study a Degree in Fashion and Textiles at Gloucestershire College of Art and Technology in Cheltenham.

I then moved to London and studied Couture Millinery at The London College of Fashion under the Royal Couturier Marie O’Reagan.

My new found millinery skills secured me a place as a Costume/Props Maker in films and theatre.
I was soon creating sculptural head-pieces and fantasy head-dresses for most of the West End shows.
The pattern cutting skills I had learnt on my Degree course came into their own…
although I was now focusing on pattern cutting human sized ham burgers, rabbits, fish and bees…and oh… so many wings!
My film work includes Highlander, Dangerous Liaisons and Batman.
My West End show work includes Time, Chess, Phantom of the Opera and Cats.

Ready for a new challenge in 1989 I moved back to my roots and set up my own Couture Millinery business.
I had returned to a focus on Fashion.
My Ateliers were in Cheltenham and Droitwich.
I dyed Para Sisal Straws to match my customer’s out fits before hand blocking their hats and trimming them to co-ordinate or match their outfit, shoes, bags and jewellery.
My customer’s were mainly Brides, Mother – of – the Brides, Royal Garden Party attendees and Horse Racing enthusiasts.

By the mid 1990’s I was ready to share my vast knowledge with others.
I trained to be a teacher and taught Traditional Couture Millinery Courses throughout Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

My School

Finally… I set up my own Couture Millinery School in 2002.

I now provide the largest variety of Traditional Couture Millinery Courses in the country.
I offer 16 short courses.
The 3 day courses in Couture Millinery focus on Traditional Blocking and Construction Techniques.
The 2 day courses explore Fascinator’s and Tiara’s.

My courses are suitable for beginners and experienced Milliners.
I teach no more than 6 students at a time… so you get plenty of individual tuition.

I teach a variety of mid – week, part weekend and weekend courses to try and cater for all student’ s diaries.
Class hours are 10 am – 4.30 pm ( with 30 minutes for lunch )
A comprehensive collection of Millinery courses are available throughout the year as the School is open all year round.

By arrangement… I am also available for One – to – One – Intensives and Group bookings.

Location

Janie Lashford’s School of Millinery is situated at Bowers Hill… a hamlet of 13 houses on the northern most edge of the Cotswolds.
Evesham is the nearest town.
Broadway, Willersey and Badsey are the nearest villages.
Evesham train station is 4 miles from the School.
Birmingham International Airport is 20 miles from the School.

Materials , Equipment & Tools

Hat Blocks are provided by the School.
Iron’s, Ironing Board’s and Drying Cabinet’s are provided by the School.

Material’s for all courses are to be paid for by the student.

Before attending a course… you will have the opportunity to establish a trade connection with your Millinery Suppliers as you will order your hat materials direct from the suppliers in the colours of your choice.
An Equipment / Materials List and Colour Swatches will be sent to you on receipt of your deposit for the course.

Accommodation

For student’s travelling from a distance there is plenty of varied and very local accommodation available.
Please tick the box on the booking form if you require my very local accommodation list.
If you are travelling without a car and stay somewhere on my list I will be able to take you to your accommodation after class.
I will also be able to collect you in the mornings.
However… I cannot offer this facility on the first morning or the last evening of the course.