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How To Get A Job As A Milliner

  Milliners design and make hats.  They do not make hats to be mass produced.  Rather, they make hats for specific customers to be worn for specific occasions.

No longer do we find hat departments in our local stores, nor do we find many stores specializing in hats.  Milliners today are self employed.  They may hire some staff to do the more routine tasks, but it is the Milliner who is the only designer, and is responsible for everything that goes out of the shop.  Although most Milliners specialize in unique designs, some also create stock designs that are available for limited distribution.

Milliners create hats to be worn at weddings, funerals, racing events, and for a variety of other special occasions.  They also design hats for theater productions, and films.  In the making and decorating of hats, Milliners use a wide variety of fabrics, materials, and techniques.

To be successful, Milliners must be artistic, imaginative, creative, detail-oriented, patient, self-motivated, and self-disciplined.  They must have excellent manual dexterity, good communication skills, and good business sense.  They must be tactful,  and good leaders.  Milliners must be able to adhere to a time table, and perform well under stress.  They must have the ability to visualize their final creations, not only in isolation, but worn by specific clients, and harmonizing with other items of clothing.  Milliners must keep abreast of changing fashions, as well as what is available in hat fabrics, techniques, fixatives, and decorative materials.

Milliners will meet with their clients to discuss the occasion for which the hat is needed, the customer’s preference regarding matters such as size, color, and ornamentation, deadlines, and of course, costs.  They will take measurements, and then sketch a basic design which must meet the customer’s approval, be suitable for the occasion, and also flatter the customer’s appearance.  After this design has been approved by the client, a final design will be drafted and a pattern for the hat will be created.  The basic fabric will be cut, molded to shape, and blocked.  When this is complete, the hat will be lined, various trims will be added, and the hat will be steamed or pressed to ensure uniform appearance.  Milliners do work by machine, and also by hand.  Some of the decor on hats may purchased, and most is made by hand.  When all the work is complete, the client will try on the hat, and any needed changes will be made.  Milliners must also meet with suppliers, order and stock materials, hire, train, and supervise staff, keep accounts, and see to their own advertising.

Education

Milliners are creative artistic individuals, so it is never to early to hone these skills.  In high school, prospective Milliners should take all the courses available in art, design, sewing, and drafting, as well as English, mathematics, business practices, and computers.  Becoming a Milliner takes many years of practice, which can begin by creating your own original hat designs, using whatever materials are available to you.  Make hats for yourself, you family, and your friends.  Take photographs of these creations and use them as a basis for a portfolio of your work.  Watch videos and read books that relate to the art of hat making.  Attend fashion shows and read about the famous Milliners, past and present.

Once you have your high school diploma, you will need to take some formal training in art and design.  Courses are available in colleges and technical schools.  Do some research and find the school that best suits your needs.   The easiest way to start your research is to check on line for millinery training schools in your state.  If you live near a large fashion center, you may be fortunate enough to find a professional Milliner, who would be willing to take you on as an apprentice.

Realize that it will take some investigating to find appropriate training programs.  You may have to relocate to do so.  Becoming a Milliner takes knowledge, skill, technical ability, and determination.  You must establish a positive reputation before you can open a shop of your own, so be prepared to work hard and long.  Initially you will probably need to take a job as a Milliner’s assistant or you may even have to start off in some other area of the the fashion industry, and work your way into your desired specialization.  Determination will be the key to your success.