Made in Great Britain

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Series exploring how the craft and manufacturing skills have shaped Great Britain.

Series telling the story of how the craft and manufacturing skills have shaped the country's towns and cities and built modern Great Britain.

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Steph McGovern

Jo Bishop

Dunk Barnes

Kim Maddever

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Made in Great Britain: Series 1: Episode 3: Hats

Hats

Episode 3

Episode 3: Hats

BBC Two - Made in Great Britain, Series 1, Hats

This episode looks at Luton's glamourous secret, hat-making.

This episode looks at Luton's glamourous secret. While today the town is famous for its airport, it is a little-known fact that it once led the world in hat-making.

In this episode, the makers discover Luton's glamourous secret. While today the town is famous for its airport, it is a little-known fact that Luton once led the world in hat-making. The team learn how the hat industry was transformed from a small rural craft into a global fashion phenomenon. Even today, every fashionable milliner from Philip Treacy to Stephen Jones goes to Luton for their millinery supplies. Presenter Steph McGovern takes the makers through the ages, and they are guided by Awon Golding, a rising millinery star. 

The makers begin their journey in the 18th century, making a fashionable straw Bergere hat. They sort individual pieces of straw into correct lengths, before plaiting it and hand-stitching it into a bonnet shape. The makers are shocked to learn that this painstaking work was done by children, some as young as 18 months old.

Next, it's the 1920s, when everyone in Britain was wearing a hat. The makers attempt to create a felt 'cloche' and 'trilby'. First, they make coloured dyes for their hats, which proves to be a long, arduous and smelly process. Then, they work against the clock to 'block' felt hats into shape in order to satisfy the massive demands of the era. 

The makers then move into the world of modern-day couture millinery. There are still 17 hat-making businesses in Luton making extraordinary creations and their many high-profile clients include the royal family. Here, the makers are given complete free reign to produce a hat that expresses their personality.

Made in Great Britain: Series 1

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Series exploring how the craft and manufacturing skills have shaped Great Britain

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Made in Great Britain

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Episode 3: Hats

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