We talk hats & headpieces with Milliner Katie Mangan
- By Elleven
- Mar 17
- 2 min read
Tell us a little bit out your career / background, How did you get into Millinary?
Definitely not a traditional route. I’ve always been creative and quite entrepreneurial, making clothes and jewellery to sell from the age of 9.
I worked in Karen Millen while doing my A levels. Seen a gap as there were so many customers coming in for occasion wear. Back then you could get a dress, shoes and bag all matching in Karen Millen. Lot’s of customers would be looking for something to match in the hair so I started making pieces then. This was 22 years ago!
Highlight of your career so far?
Has to be Aintree Races the past few years. Especially the year following the pandemic. The amount of messages and photos I get sent from customers is amazing. I’ve had customers all over the world with some famous faces. but nothing beats the feeling on the Grand National after working such long hours for weeks to see it all payoff.
Future aspirations for your brand?
Would like to work on ready to wear pieces and stock in some retailers that would fit with the brand.
Tips for choosing the right hat / head piece for an event, and what are the most common mistakes people make?
Don’t follow a trend, dress for you and what feels best for you. Don’t worry about the length or colour of your hair, the size of your head or how tall you are - there is a style to suit everyone! It doesn't matter if you’ve never worn anything before.
Just be confident.
What should come first the outfit or the hat? And how to you instruct your hairdresser about how to style your hair when wearing a hat?
I don’t think you should stick to a rule with this.
Sometimes I get customers who’ve seen one of my headpieces and just know they have to have it and will buy the outfit around it. More often a customer will send over their outfit, sometimes with shoes and bag already selected. We then look at the styles they like and see how we can create something fabulous to bring it all together.
Comfort is key! Hairdressers are great at concealing headbands or elastic and the all important positioning of a headpiece. A button base needs to sit more to the front of the head, not on top!
Dream customer (this can be a famous person dead or alive)
I’d have to say that my dream customer isn’t anyone famous. My dream customer is a customer who is genuinely transformed with her entire outfit. I've had customers with tears of joy when they have tried on their custom made creations. To be a part of bringing someone total confidence especially when they may have been lacking it before is my dream. I guess if they’re famous then that's a bonus!
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