Within the past few months you’ve probably noticed that faux fur hats and garments have been trending, from the streets of London, Milan and Paris Fashion weeks, to magazine editorials and cover shoots. Upon further inspection, you’ll probably find out that a great number of these pieces were made by British millennial milliner Emma Brewin. Her clientele has been from the likes of Rita Ora, Miley Cyrus, Adwoa Aboah to Kylie Jenner for Paper Magazine, Vogue USA among others. Brewin has been stitching faux fur outerwear and accessories for these pop culture behemoths from the comfort of her hometown Sandwich in South East England.
“I really enjoy being out here in the middle of nowhere and doing my own thing,” she says. Twin sat down with the designer for a chat about struggles, inspiration, and the creative direction behind her latest SS19 Campaign shot by photographer Chloe Sheppard.
When and how did you learn to make hats?
I studied fashion design at university but I suppose I am self-taught in millinery. I made my first hat back in 2013, to match a coat I had made, and now I can’t make a coat without a furry topper!
What persuaded you to go in the direction of faux fur as opposed to any other fabric?
At university I did lots of studies into what fabrics children find most appealing when dressing up, and fur was a always up there with the first things they grabbed, once I started working with it I completely fell in love, for me it can complete any outfit and make it so much more special.
How long does it take you to make each piece?
It completely depends on the piece but if I am working on a hat I always give myself a full day from start to brushing and boxing up.
What was the direction behind your SS19 campaign and collection?
When starting a collection I never really have any particular direction, it’s my favourite part of the whole process, the girls and I just make, make and make. Usually producing pieces that we would dream of finding in old vintage shops then playing around with them until they are perfect. The studio is like a fancy dress box of hats, and the ones we dress up in the most are usually the ones we put into production. In regards to the campaign we really wanted to let the hats speak for themselves, which is why (for the first time) we shot in a studio.
Where, what or who do you look to for inspiration?
Everything old.
What has been your greatest challenge since the launch of the label?
Relinquishing control and not doing every job myself.
Who is the ideal Emma Brewin woman?
Our customers. We really do have the best customers on Earth.
What’s next for you?
We have spent January and February locked in the studio making some wonderful new styles, we released a sneak peek of our new Cat Hat on Instagram the other day, and have some matching new accessories to twin with our hats coming very soon..
Photographry- Chloe Sheppard
Styling – Clarissa Bowman
Hair – Sinead Gregory
Make up – Lindsay Low
Model – Mimi (Anti agency)
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