nuts4chic UK Fashion Sarah Cant

ByLeslie Lismore
Sarah Cant swooped the top three prizes in The Hat Magazine's 2005 Hat Designer of the Year Competition for the best overall collection, best craftsmenship, and most popular in the public vote. Judges included expert milliners Stephen Jones and Philip Somerville, and the award was announced at Pure, where the six finalists' collections were on show. The Hat Designer of the Year competition is run annually by The Hat Magazine in association with The British Hat Guild. The five finalists are judged on a 6-piece collection, comprised of 2 couture hats, 2 ready-to-wear hats, and 2 cut-and-sew hats. Each year the organisers get a sponsor from the millinery or fashion trade which provides the theme for the collections. It was Swarovski one year, Aquascutum another - This year it was the German flower-maker Heidi Steyer, so the 6 hats had to include a floral theme. The judges award 1st and 2nd prizes for the best overall collections, as well as a prize for best craftsmanship. There is also a prize for the winner of the public vote. New children's range A new range of hair accessories for girls aged 7-15 years will be launched at The Chelsea Crafts Fair (see below). As with the ladies' hats, each one will be a unique one-off design, handmade by the designer. The collection will feature brightly-coloured felts, playfully arranged with buttons, ribbons and embroidery into flowers, butterflies, hearts and stars.

'Tea Party' and 'Ballroom' for 2006

Sarah is currently working on the first of two interiors-inspired collections for 2006: 'Tea Party' for Sping/Summer and 'Ballroom' for Autumn/Winter.

The collections, to be shown at London Fashion Week, will feature wallpapers from Cole and Sons, and furnishing fabrics from Zoffany.

These two companies are generously and enthusiastically sponsoring the collections by providing materials and other support.

Where to see Sarah Cant Creations

Victoria & Albert Museum,
V&A South Kensington
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL

Pieces from the autumn/winter collection, 'Night Garden', will be featured in the new Gallery Shop at the V & A, as well as in the exhibition shops.

London Fashion Week,
18-21 September
The Spring/Summer 2006 collection, 'Tea Party', will be shown at The London Fashion Week Designer's Exhibition, Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London.

100% Design,
22-25 September

Select pieces from the Spring/Summer collection, 'Tea Party', which feature Cole and Sons wallpapers will be on show at their stand (E13) at 100% Design, Earls Court 2, London.

Chelsea Crafts Fair,
11-16 October (week 1)

The autumn/winter collection, 'Night Garden', will be at stand 92 during week 1 of The Chelsea Crafts Fair, Kings Road, London. A new range of girl's hair accessories will be on launched at the show.

Waddeston Manor Exhibition,
8-19 November

The Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen will have their winter exhibition at Waddeston Manor, Bucks., 8-19 November. Hats and headpieces from the winter collection, as well as the new children's range, will be for sale.

Showcase