Lauren Martin
1880s straw bonnet recreation
Recreation of an 1880s straw bonnet, in pale grey straw with blue silk velvet trim, vintage pink brocade ribbon and vintage flowers. Inspired by an 1880s bonnet in my collection of antique hats and headwear.
Price: £395.
“This bonnet was made using my 17 guinea straw hat sewing machine, loaned to me by Culture Trust Luton. The machines were in use at the same time as the original bonnet was worn. This is a recreation project to explore how the machine works.”
Materials and Techniques
Grey straw braid was used, and blocked over a hand carved polystyrene block made in the shape of the original 1880s bonnet. The bonnet form was taken from the original with wires, and then these proportions converted to a homemade block.
Millinery Heritage
“My first millinery teacher whilst studying costume making at university was the inspirational Louise Macdonald. I worked as a costume maker for many years, but millinery became my main job when I went to work for Philip Treacy in London. Now, I combine the costume world with the hat world, and also work as a lecturer with a research interest in nineteenth century hat production. In 2021 I completed an MRes on the topic of Millinery and Milliners in 1830s England.”
About Lauren Martin
Lauren Martin is a freelance theatrical milliner and lecturer in costume at Nottingham Trent University. In 2021 she completed an MA by research on ‘Millinery and milliners in 1830s England’ (University of Huddersfield). She holds a BA(Hons) in Costume Design and Making (2014) and since 2002 has worked extensively in both couture fashion millinery (Philip Treacy) and theatrical costume (Sheffield Theatres). She is also a lecturer on the BA(Hons) Costume Design and Making degree at Nottingham Trent University. Currently, Lauren’s hat making work focuses on historic reproductions for museums and heritage organisations. Her current academic research examines nineteenth century milliners and headwear, specifically bonnets.