With a 1st Class hons. in Fine Art, Claire worked in retail and admin before her love of textiles and fashion led her to pursue millinery as a career

 

Claire went on to train at Leeds College of Art & Design, acheiving a distinction in BTEC HNC Millinery in 2009 

  

After a period managing a hat shop, Claire spotted the need for high quality cocktail hats and launched

QUAINTRELLE in 2010

 

The workshop is part of the "King Street Workshops", a group of skilled designer-makers based at The Old Workhouse site in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire

 

 

QUAINTRELLE

 

 

Using traditional millinery materials and techniques, Claire combines vintage and contemporary fabrics to stunning effect

 

The Couture Collection of headpieces and cocktail hats is made up of hand-blocked and hand-sewn designs by Claire - often using limited materials - and each is unique

 

"Cocktail hats are the ideal occasion-wear: they work with hair styled up or down and can be worn throughout a meal and on the dancefloor. An elegant alternative to frothy fascinators and battling with brims"

 

 

Claire has demonstrated her skills at York City Museum and Leeds City Museum. She has exhibited at "Hatworks", Stockport; Bankfield Museum, Halifax, The Manor House, Ilkley and the "Musee Du Chapeau", France.