HATS OFF TO TOP DESIGNS

Edinburgh’s Telford College has teamed up with charity HATWALK to host one of the Capital’s biggest fashion and theatre shows.

After three sell-out years, HATWALK 2008 is back next month for its fourth showcase of spectacular hats designed by some of the top names in the millinery world including Felicity Faichney, Clare Workman, and theatrical milliner Jane Smith, whose hat designs have been worn by Helena Bonham-Carter in the film ‘Sweeney Todd’, and Keira Knightley in upcoming film ‘The Duchess’.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘HATWALK in Wonderland’ and this will be reflected in the hat designs on display, incorporating animals, flowers and a touch of the surreal. Telford’s Acting and Dance students will take to the stage to model the designs and tell the magical tale of a trip to Wonderland and the adventures of the Mad Hatter.

HATWALK 2008 will raise funds for HATWALK’s educational workshops and the Teenage Cancer Trust ‘Remember Zoe’ appeal, to create specialist adolescent units at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

This year’s show celebrates the diversity of hats and features everything from feathers to flowers, bonnets to berets, caps to crowns, as well as over 200 designs by young people who have attended HATWALK workshops. The school pupils will also display their own hat designs as part of a student competition to win an all expenses paid trip to top milliner and HATWALK patron Phillip Treacy’s design studio and the chance to meet the man himself.

Felicity Faichney, Creative Director of HATWALK, said:

“HATWALK is pleased to be working in close partnership with Edinburgh's Telford College. Our show this year is the delightful flight of fancy, 'HATWALK in Wonderland' and, once again, the milliners have risen to the creative challenge with invention and artistry, building on the Wonderland theme .The parade of talent in the school and student sets will amaze; it looks as if the future of millinery is in safe hands!”

This August, Telford College is also hosting this year’s HATWALK Summer School, which offers a choice of five millinery classes including An Introduction to Millinery for beginners as well as theatrical and couture classes for experienced milliners. Classes are delivered by professional milliners including Felicity Faichney and Jane Smith. HATWALK has already delivered workshops to young people in over 35 schools across Scotland and the north of England.

Myra Cameron, Head of Performing Arts at Edinburgh’s Telford College, said:

“We are delighted to team up with HATWALK for this year’s show, giving both established and up and coming milliners a chance to shine, while raising money for very worthwhile causes. The summer school is also an exciting opportunity to learn new skills or build on an existing talent.”

HATWALK 2008 takes place on 6th and 7th June in the St Stephen’s Centre, Stockbridge.
For tickets to HATWALK 2008 and more information on the Summer School, please visit http://www.hatwalk.co.uk or email fenella@hatwalk.co.uk.
For more information about Edinburgh’s Telford College, please call 0131 559 4000 or visit http://www.ed-coll.ac.uk.

MEDIA INVITE AND PHOTO CALL

Media are invited to attend the official launch of HATWALK 2008 which is being held at the exceptional AMA Homes development at 6 St Vincent Place, next to the St Stephen’s Centre, on Wednesday, 7 May at 6.00pm. Photographs, using the location of the penthouse flat, will be available of models displaying the magnificent hat designs to be showcased at HATWALK, including one design inspired by a tea party and a burlesque interpretation of Alice in Wonderland.

Also available for photographs and interviews will be:

• Milliners Margaret Burgess
• Clare Workman, Joyce Paton
• Fawns Reid
• Ewa Kuniczak
• Mandy Purdie, Project Development Manager at Telford College
• Felicity Faichney, Hatwalk Creative Director
• Fenella Kerr, Hatwalk Producer
• Libby Anderson, Jill Clark and Alan Faichney, Hatwalk Board Members
• Jennifer Black, Actress and Artistic Director of Hatwalk
• Lynne McNicoll from the Teenage Cancer Trust

Please RSVP to Laura by calling 0131 202 0120 or emailing laura@halogencom.com

Edinburgh's Telford College is a registered Scottish Charity - No. SCO21213