Got to take your hat off to Louise

“I had no idea I’d won an award and intended to spend time with my family that night but was urged to go along and was voted New Business of the Year for Chipping Campden and surrounding area by the Campden Business Forum after nomination.

"Chipping Campden has been very good to me, not only as a location on the High Street, but in terms of local support from the people, it’s a great place to be,” Louise said.

Her creativity, skill and profession which dates back hundreds of years came about shortly after the birth of her child eight years ago.

“I didn’t know where to start but knew I wanted to do something for myself while also being a mother so I studied hard and got my City and Guilds Level 2 in Millinery and was a tutor for a while before I launched Louise Millinery last February,” said Louise.

Now, as well as making hats, she also holds workshops. She offers both the City and Guilds level 2 and level 3 qualifications and as there is no level 1, people can just jump straight to level 2 even if they have limited skills and knowledge in millinery. “

I have a wonderful collection of old and new blocks which you can choose from. “There is an interesting range of shapes including the 1920’s cloches, trilbys, fedoras, bowlers, top hats, berets — the list goes on,” said Louise.