Millinery

Millinery refers to hats and other articles sold by a milliner to women, or the profession or business of designing, making, or selling hats, dresses, and hat trim to women. Women would ask a milliner to remake their old clothing into new clothing. A milliner is a hatter who designs, makes, sells or trims hats and dresses. Customers would visit a millinery shop to look at and to buy clothes (children's clothing, shirts, undergarments and caps, for example) Millinery, if taken in a more general sense, also means any accoutrements that are functionally unnecessary, such as a garnish on a dish, or the extra cuff-buttons on a man's dress jacket.

Many famous early designers began in millinery including Coco Chanel, Halston, Rose Bertin and Jeanne Lanvin. Philip Treacy, Prudence Millinery, Stephen Jones are good examples of modern milliners.

The origin of the name is likely the Middle English Milener, as in an inhabitant of Milan or one who deals in items from Milan. (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition)

Womens fascinators also come under millinery. The use of feathers, materials, beads, pearls and crystals to make extravagant to petite fascinators for brides, weddings, christenings, ladies day at the horse races and many other glamorous occasions.

External Links

• All Sewn Up: Millinery, Dressmaking, Clothing and Costume
• http://www.fascinatorsbydesign.com/

Also a good site is history.org then type in milleners