Sahar Freemantle is an award-winning milliner based in London. The purpose of her brand Sahar Millinery is to spread beauty and inspire creativity. Sahar has a BA(Hons) in Performance Costume from Edinburgh College of Art. She uses traditional millinery methods in her handmade hats, which have great shapes, complement the wearer, and are comfortable to wear.

Sahar is a scholar of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust and a member of the British Hat Guild, and boasts a diverse clientele. This includes Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, and celebrities such as Ellie Goulding, Paloma Faith and Katy Perry. Sahar’s hats have been showcased in screen productions like Downton Abbey, and exhibited in the Victoria and Albert museum, Fortnum and Mason, and internationally in Japan, Portugal, Mali, Berlin and France.

Sahar believes that everyone can nurture creativity and has a firm commitment to naturally bring out those qualities through her easy-going teaching techniques. Sahar has run several successful millinery workshops, including a specialized ‘felt steaming’ workshop for the Institute of Making and millinery demonstrations for The Barbican. She has also set up ‘Hat Over Heels’ – a hat-making workshop for women who have lost their hair. Sahar holds workshops for beginners at her studio and is available to teach at colleges, hen parties, corporate events, institutions, and events. Please contact Sahar for further information or if you are interested in booking a course or creating a bespoke course for you.

Current courses include:

Downton Abbey Traditionally made 1920’s hat class
Taking inspiration from the historically accurate hats Sahar made for Downton Abbey, this class teaches traditional techniques of ‘blocking’ felt around wooden hat blocks. This class is suitable for all levels and takes two days. Basic sewing knowledge is helpful but not essential. Classes are small (typically 2 – 6 people).

One Day Vintage Hat Making Workshop in Felt
In this class, each participant will make their own percher, cloche, or trilby hat from wool felt, in the traditional way of ‘blocking’ the felt around wooden hat blocks. This class is suitable for all levels. Basic sewing knowledge is helpful but not essential. Classes are small (typically 4 – 6 people).

Sinamay Fascinator Making Workshop
In this workshop, the participants learn how hats are made and formed. Held in Sahar’s central London studio, we will focus on Sinamay – which is the most used material that summer hats are made from. Limited Spaces. No experience is necessary. Classes are small (typically 4 – 6 people).

The following courses are also available: