Vivienne Lake

Milliner

©Vraies Jumelles

©Anna Stefanou

©Jenny Brough

Everybody has a head for hats

Vivienne believes hats can transform a look
Collaboration is at the centre of her work
She gains inspiration from engaging with other disciplines

Vivienne Lake is an accessories designer who specialises in headwear. Educated and trained in the UK and abroad in millinery, Vivienne keeps expanding her craft knowledge while serving as a millinery advisor and tutor. From outrageous oversized headwear for the fashion runway to everyday millinery, Vivienne is a far-reaching hat designer and maker. She makes hats for fashion designers, celebrities and cultural events, and often turns to collaboration in her creative process. She looks to other artistic disciplines and makers to push the boundaries of her craft. "A hat is an accessory that can seldom stand on its own, yet it is the crowning piece of any outfit," she says.

Interview

©Anna Stefanou

©Vivienne Lake

What sets hats apart from other apparel?: A hat can be outrageous, absurd even. Millinery is sculpture-making. A hat can speak to the whole body, not just the head. It can change your mood and your silhouette.
Do you see yourself as a milliner or a maker?: I enjoy making, and I enjoy the challenge of making new and unexpected things. My current work is primarily millinery, but I also love applying my skills to other 3-dimensional forms. I expect my practice to evolve over time as I evolve.
What has been your biggest challenge?: There are challenges I enjoy, which I am happy to engage with. Teaching myself to make gloves was a massive challenge, but one I loved. Then there are the challenges peripheral to running a business which impose themselves on my practice, which are less enjoyable!
Is collaboration an important dimension in your work?: Collaboration is everything in my work. I collaborate with other designers, moving from an idea to a making process, to a finished piece. We also work in collaboration with each other in the workroom – it is never just one person creating work in a vacuum.

Vivienne Lake is a master artisan: she began her career in 2009 and she started teaching in 2016