Couture Millinery Masterclass with Monika Perlińska - 2 days
Choose the experience that best suits your journey, whether you are discovering couture millinery for the first time or refining professional techniques under the guidance of one of Britain's leading master milliners. Both masterclasses run over two full days in the London atelier, because a blocked hat cannot be made in one. Felt and straw are shaped with heat and steam, and the shape has to dry on the block before it holds.
The Foundation Atelier · £600 per person · maximum four participants
Designed for those taking their first steps into couture millinery, this immersive two day experience introduces the traditional techniques used to create exceptional hats and headpieces by hand. Working closely with Monika Perlińska, you will learn:
- Understanding materials including felt, straw and sinamay
- Traditional blocking using wooden hat blocks
- Steaming, shaping and sculpting techniques
- Hand wiring and structural construction
- Professional hand stitching and finishing
- Balance, comfort and couture fitting
- Design, trimming and finishing your own bespoke piece
With personal guidance throughout, you will create and take home your own handcrafted couture hat or headpiece while gaining the confidence and skills to continue your millinery journey. Perfect for complete beginners, creative enthusiasts and anyone wishing to experience authentic couture craftsmanship.
Includes: all tuition, specialist equipment, refreshments and your finished couture creation.
The Master Atelier · £1,200 per person · strictly one to one
An intensive private masterclass created for practising milliners, fashion professionals and experienced makers seeking to refine their craftsmanship at couture level. This bespoke programme is individually designed around your experience and professional goals. Rather than following a fixed curriculum, Monika Perlińska shares the advanced techniques, creative judgement and problem solving methods developed over more than thirty-five years working at the highest level of international millinery.
Topics may include:
- Advanced couture blocking and structural engineering
- Complex shaping techniques for felt, straw and couture materials
- Precision wiring for dramatic silhouettes
- Professional finishing worthy of couture commissions
- Bespoke fitting and balance
- Material selection and couture construction
- Design critique and refinement
- Developing collections for luxury clients
- Professional studio workflow and couture techniques rarely taught outside leading ateliers
This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to receive one to one tuition from a designer whose career spans the historic European atelier tradition, Philip Treacy and Jane Taylor London. Ideal for experienced milliners wishing to elevate their craftsmanship, prepare collections, solve technical challenges or accelerate their professional development.
Includes: bespoke programme, individual mentoring, professional critique and advanced technical guidance.
Who teaches you
Monika Perlińska graduated from a school of millinery in Poland and gained her early experience in an atelier with a century of tradition. She then spent five years in the atelier of Philip Treacy, making hats for royal families and for names from film and music and becoming his principal designer, followed by seven years as head milliner at Jane Taylor London. She has taught the craft for over twenty years, first in Warsaw and now from her own London atelier.
Private groups
The Foundation Atelier can be booked as a private group for a birthday, a hen celebration, a team day or a gathering of friends who want to make together, up to four participants. The days are shaped around the level and interests of the people in the room. Write to mariamonicamilliner@gmail.com to arrange one.
Dates
Dates are arranged on request around your diary. Reserve a place, and Monika Perlińska will be in touch to set your two days.
Details & dimensions
The Foundation Atelier, £600 per person, maximum four participants
The Master Atelier, £1,200 per person, strictly one to one
All tuition, specialist equipment and refreshments included
You take home the couture piece you make
Foundation welcomes complete beginners, Master is for experienced makers
Dates arranged on request around your diary
Perfect for
A practising milliner refining craft at couture level
A gift for someone who makes things by hand
Anyone curious about how a couture hat is built
Made for you
Dates are arranged on request, write to mariamonicamilliner@gmail.com.
Bespoke colours
Every piece can be made in any colour. Send a photograph of your outfit or a fabric swatch and Monika will match it. Use the field above to tell us the colour you have in mind, or start a commission.
Size and fit
This piece is one size, shaped to sit securely. For an exact fit to your own head measurement, commission it in your size.
Not sure of your size? The size and fit guide shows how to measure properly and converts your measurement to UK and US hat sizes.
Delivery and returns
UK delivery is complimentary, 3 to 5 business days. UK express £6.99, 1 to 2 business days. United States £23.99 and European Union £14.99, each 3 to 5 business days once dispatched. American clients can pay in US dollars at checkout.
Import duties are set by your customs authority and are separate from the shipping price. Ready to wear pieces may be returned within 14 days, unworn and in the original hatbox. Bespoke and made to order pieces cannot be returned unless faulty. Full detail on delivery and returns.
Made in the London atelier
Designed and made by hand by Monika Perlińska, around thirty-five years at the craft and twenty of them in London. She qualified at a school of millinery in Poland, spent five years making hats in Philip Treacy’s atelier for the royal family and for names from film and music, then seven years as head milliner at Jane Taylor.
More on the designer, and how a piece is kept in the care guide.
Speak to an expert
Speak directly with Monika about this piece, the colour or the fit. She answers personally.
Choose options
The atelier
Designed and made in the London atelier
Every piece is designed and made by hand by Monika Perlińska. She qualified at a school of millinery in Poland and refined her craft in an atelier with a century of tradition, then spent five years making hats in Philip Treacy’s atelier and seven years as head milliner at Jane Taylor.
One pair of hands makes your hat. It is never made twice, and it can be made in any colour.
About
Ways to be fitted
Every commission begins with a conversation. Monika replies personally.
In person, London
Try shapes on, see colours against your skin and hold materials against your outfit. Bring the outfit if you can, or a swatch and a photograph.
Book an appointmentBy video, anywhere
Consult with Monika from any time zone. Send photographs of your outfit beforehand and she will have shapes and materials ready. Your finished piece ships to the United States in 3 to 5 business days.
Book a video consultationPrivate service
One client at a time, arranged directly with Monika. Your commission is discussed with no one and made by her hands alone.
Private service