Clair McKinney-Williams
Footwear & Accessory Designer










Millinery
After I completed my studies in footwear, accessory design and development at Cordwainers College I started work immediately for the milliner Philip Treacy at his studio in London.
I worked for Philip for seven years, he personally trained me how to make hats using traditional millinery techniques.
Whilst at Philip's I made his ready to wear collections in his London studio and the factory in Luton.
I also made couture hats for his private clients and designers such as Valentino, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Versace and Ralph Lauren.
Philip would also have his own couture shows. I worked on his catwalk shows in Paris, London and New York.
This was an amazing experience which I look back fondly on.
I still make hats for private commissions and I have worked with a hat designer called Chloe Haywood. I blocked and stitched her hats for her SS16 and SS17 collections.
I also worked with a fashion designer called Emma Bell, I made all of her hat/headdresses for her London Fashion week catwalk show.
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