Vesna Pesic
‘Balance Form’
Balance Form is an abstract leather headpiece composed of three sculpted peaks in sky blue, earthy brown, and shadowy black. Each tone suggests an elemental presence—air, earth, and void—brought together in a quiet, harmonious rise. Minimal in contour yet rich in intention, the form echoes the rhythm of natural landscapes shaped by time and stillness. Crafted with precision and restraint, Balance Form blurs the line between adornment and sculpture. It invites the viewer to sense balance not through symmetry, but through flow—where presence and absence, texture and tone, unfold in silent exchange.
Price: £825
“Balance Form reflects heritage through both craftsmanship and concept. It sits within a lineage of hats as cultural markers and creative statements, echoing the tradition of headwear worn not only for occasion, but for meaning. Handcrafted using traditional millinery techniques, this headpiece also honours the heritage of skilled artisanship—where form is shaped not only by hand, but by thought and intention. By fusing ancestral philosophies with contemporary British craft, Balance Form becomes a quiet continuation of heritage: philosophical, material, and deeply human. It is not just about what we inherit, but what we choose to carry forward.”
Materials and Techniques
Hand-sculpted repurposed leather headpiece crafted using traditional millinery and cuir-bouilli techniques—Balance Form is a one-of-a-kind wearable sculpture exploring movement, material, and mindful making.
Millinery Heritage
“Millinery became part of my life in London in 1997, when I began formal training at Kensington and Chelsea College. I went on to work for two extraordinary milliners—Dai Rees and Stephen Jones—whose ateliers taught me that hats are far more than accessories: they are sculpture, storytelling, and a form of quiet, wearable heritage. Their influence deepened my love for detail, material, and meaning.
I later completed an MA in Fashion Artefact at London College of Fashion, exploring headwear as conceptual and sculptural art. Today, I share this knowledge as a senior lecturer at Morley College, guiding new makers as they develop their own creative voices. For me, heritage lives in the rhythm of handwork, in sustainable choices, and in the ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation. Teaching allows me to honour the past by shaping its future—one stitch, one student, one story at a time.
While I don’t come from a formal lineage of milliners, craft and creativity were always present in my family. My mother was endlessly resourceful sewing, knitting, and making things by hand with care and purpose. One grandmother was exceptionally skilled at crochet, creating intricate patterns with ease, while the other was a true hat-wearer: stylish, elegant, and always impeccably dressed. She could mend tights flawlessly. Their quiet creativity and attention to detail left a lasting impression, shaping my appreciation for making, materials, and the personal rituals of dress.”
About Vesna Pesic
Vesna Pesic is a millinery artist and educator based in London. Her work focuses on sculptural headpieces that explore the relationship between form, movement, and material. Combining traditional millinery craftsmanship with experimental techniques, she creates pieces between fashion, art, and design.
Influenced by her practice of Tai Chi and Taoist philosophy, her designs often reference balance and motion, both conceptually and structurally. Sustainability is central to her process: she regularly uses offcuts, biodegradable materials, and repurposed elements to inform a more responsible approach to making.
Vesna is committed to preserving and evolving the heritage of millinery. As a senior lecturer at Morley College and founding member of The British Hat Guild, she actively mentors emerging makers and promotes the value of handcraft in contemporary practice.