Sahar Freemantle

Milliner

The unseen side of whimsical hats

Sahar brings a sculptural approach to classic millinery
She creates custom pieces with unconventional materials
She works with unconventional materials such as metal mesh, insects and found objects

Sahar Freemantle's journey began with costume design at Edinburgh College of Arts, where she initially learned the basics of millinery. Her first creation was a sculptural costume with a matching hat, made from traditional strip straw that was woven into centimetre-wide segments. "As a child, alongside my love for art and calligraphy, I had a vision of becoming a mechanic. In millinery, I discovered the perfect blend of artistry and hands-on craftsmanship," Sahar says. After working with Scottish milliners, she moved to London where she gradually turned to full-time millinery by balancing film costume work and a part-time office job to fund her practice. Sahar established her first atelier in 2008 and has dedicated herself fully to millinery since 2015.

Interview

What materials do you use in your work?: I work with traditional millinery materials, including sinamay, parasisal straw, wool, fur felt, silk, veiling and crin. These materials are very conducive to shaping and holding structure, which is essential for both classic silhouettes and bold contemporary forms.
Do you work with unusual materials?: I use unconventional materials including metal mesh, as well as butterflies and insects, which involve taxidermy. I also use found objects. I have developed my own preservation techniques and sometimes apply gold leaf to enhance natural beauty, creating wearable art.
What does your atelier look like?: My studio is made up of a showroom area as well as a second, larger space which has equipment on the walls, steamers and a sewing machine. There are hat blocks, Panama straws, felts and fabric rolls on shelves. Boxes of feathers are strewn around and flowers fill the drawers. It looks like chaos, but it is actually quite organised.
What makes your work recognisable?: I may be too close to my work to see it objectively, but I gravitate toward jaunty, twisted and asymmetric shapes. My UglyLovely line incorporates bird wings and unconventional elements that others may recognise as my signature style.

Sahar Freemantle is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2008