Learn Millinery with Justine Bradley-Hill
At Justine Bradley-Hill Millinery, teaching is approached with the same care, precision and quiet luxury as each handcrafted piece created within the studio.
To preserve this level of excellence, student numbers are intentionally limited each year. This ensures every individual receives a highly personalised, immersive learning experience within a focused and supportive environment.
Students can choose between private online tuition via Zoom or in-person sessions within our purpose-built studio, set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Whichever route you take, you will be guided through the craft with clarity, confidence and attention to detail — developing both technical skill and a refined creative eye.
About Justine
With over 30 years in design and more than 20 years specialising in millinery, Justine Bradley-Hill is an established name within the industry — known for her craftsmanship, distinctive aesthetic and considered approach to teaching.
Her work has been featured in titles such as Vogue and Tatler, and she is a selected milliner for the Royal Ascot Style Guide. Alongside her studio practice, Justine is a guest tutor for The CHANEL & The King’s Foundation Métiers d’Art Millinery Fellowship, in partnership with Le19M.
Experience & Teaching
Justine offers yearly programmes, bespoke one-to-one tuition and specialist masterclasses, each tailored to the individual. Her teaching combines traditional techniques with a contemporary, editorial approach — equipping students with both technical mastery and a strong design sensibility.
Her credentials include:
BSc (Hons) in Textiles
HNC in Millinery, Leeds College of Art
City & Guilds Level 2 & 3 in Creative Arts (Millinery)
Level 3 PTLLS in Training & Education
She has taught internationally and across the UK, including London Hat Week, Parkin Fabrics, Hat Blocks Direct, Artipistolis Spain, The Creative Workshops and Hatwalk Ireland.
A Personal Approach
Every student is taught at a pace that allows skills to be properly understood and refined. The emphasis is on craftsmanship, finish and individuality — ensuring each piece created reflects both technical excellence and personal style.
Students have gone on to achieve recognition within the industry, including awards in the Feltmakers’ Competition, a reflection of both their dedication and the standard of teaching within the studio.
Join the Studio
Whether you are completely new to millinery or looking to elevate your existing skills, studying with Justine Bradley-Hill offers a rare opportunity to learn within a working couture studio environment.
This is not simply a course — it is a considered, creative experience designed to shape your future within the world of millinery.
Introduction to Millinery
One -Year Studio Programme | October Intake
Now booking for October 2026
Step inside a working couture millinery studio and begin your journey into the craft.
This highly sought-after one-year introduction to millinery is designed for those who want more than just a course — it is an opportunity to develop true craftsmanship, refine your eye and gain the confidence to create beautifully finished pieces.
With very limited places available, each student benefits from focused, one-to-one level guidance in an intimate and inspiring setting on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
One of the only courses of its kind offered outside London, this is a rare opportunity to access this level of specialist training within a working studio environment.
Why This Course
Learn within a professional, working studio
Maximum of just 3 students per session
Personal guidance throughout
Build a strong technical foundation
Develop your own creative style with confidence
A rare opportunity outside London
Course Details
Duration: October – September (11 sessions)
Schedule: One session per month (June break)
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Studio-based, Yorkshire
Group Size: Maximum 3 students
Each session is carefully structured to build your skills progressively, ensuring you leave with both knowledge and beautifully crafted work.
What You Will Learn
Over the year, you will cover essential millinery techniques, including:
Straw & sinamay hat making
Felt techniques
Feather work and detailing
Silk flower making
Trimming and finishing
Head fittings (including alice bands)
Dyeing sinamay, straw and feathers
By the end of the course, you will have a strong understanding of both traditional techniques and modern application.
Investment
Total: £1,700
Deposit: £500 (non-refundable, secures your place)
Balance: 6 monthly payments of £200
What to Expect
You will work within a fully equipped professional studio, with access to:
Hat blocks
Steamers
Irons
Sewing machines
Students are required to bring their own sewing kit. Materials are not included, with guidance provided throughout on sourcing.
Limited places now available for October 2026
Secure Your Place
Due to the highly personalised nature of this course, places fill quickly each year.
If you are ready to invest in your creativity and learn millinery to a professional standard, we recommend securing your place early.
Enquire now to reserve your place.
If you want to push this even further, I’d suggest adding one final luxury line like:
“Designed for those who value craftsmanship, detail and a truly considered approach to learning.”
Advanced Millinery Programme
One-Year Studio Course | By Application
Now booking for October 2026
Designed for those with prior millinery experience, this advanced programme offers a rare opportunity to refine your craft within a working couture studio environment.
This is not a beginner course. It is a focused, highly personalised programme for milliners ready to elevate their technical ability, develop a distinctive design voice and move towards a more professional level of work.
With an emphasis on craftsmanship, originality and refinement, students are guided to create work that is both technically accomplished and individually led.
Course Overview
Duration: October – September (11 sessions)
Schedule: One session per month (June break)
Time: 10am – 4pm
Group Size: Maximum 2–3 students
Location: Studio-based, Yorkshire
Places are strictly limited to ensure a high level of individual attention.
Who This Course Is For
Milliners with at least one year of practical experience
Those looking to refine technique and elevate finish
Creatives ready to develop a distinct design identity
Students considering a more professional or commercial direction
Approach
Teaching is rooted in traditional millinery techniques, with a strong emphasis on original design and independent thinking.
Students are encouraged to develop their own aesthetic and creative direction. For this reason, existing trims and signature pieces are not taught or replicated.
Each project is designed to build advanced technical skills while allowing space for personal interpretation.
What You Will Study
Throughout the year, you will explore a series of advanced techniques and structured projects, including:
Fabric and foundation work (structured pillboxes, berets, pleated detailing)
Couture sinamay (bias cutting and free-form construction)
Advanced straw techniques (including bias and boater construction)
Leather blocking and flower making
Veiling techniques (rigid veils, veil blocking and trims)
Felt techniques
Colour matching and dyeing
Alongside this, there is a strong focus on:
Hat fittings and wearability
Developing a cohesive collection
Understanding trends and design direction
Investment
Total: £2,000
Deposit: £800 (non-refundable, secures your place)
Balance: 6 monthly payments of £200
1:1 Bespoke Millinery Tuition with Justine
A personalised one-to-one teaching experience, tailored entirely to you. Prior to your session, you will discuss with Justine the techniques or areas you would like to focus on, allowing the day to be thoughtfully curated around your individual goals.
Sessions can be taken as:
a full 6-hour studio day (10.00am–4.00pm)
or split into two 3-hour sessions
Rate: £50 per hour (£300 for a 6-hour session)
Materials: not included
Ideal for those seeking focused guidance, refining techniques, or developing their own creative direction within millinery.
Zoom Millinery Classes
All classes can also be taken via Zoom, offering a flexible and accessible way to learn from the comfort of your own home.
To attend, you will need to have your own millinery equipment. This typically includes hat blocks, hat wire, sinamay, feathers, ribbons, trims, a steam iron, and a hat steamer.
Zoom provides a relaxed yet focused environment, allowing you to develop your millinery skills with expert support, wherever you are based.
Sessions can be taken as:
a full 6-hour studio day (10.00am–4.00pm)
or split into two 3-hour sessions
Rate: £50 per hour (£300 for a 6-hour session)
Materials: not included
Ideal for those seeking focused guidance, refining techniques, or developing their own creative direction within millinery.
Meet the teacher.
Justine is passionate about the traditional craft of millinery and has been sharing her knowledge for many years.
BOOK MILLINERY CLASSES
Introduction to millinery studio based or via Zoom (perfect for international students time difference can be accommodated)
One-year introduction to millinery – booking is now open for October 2024intake.
Total cost £1700 -initial non returnable deposit of £500 and then 6 monthly payments of £200.
This an introduction to millinery to get you started on your journey The course consists of 11 sessions over the one year Running October -September with a break in August (1 session per month). The studio class runs 10 am -4 pm.
The year will introduce you to the basics of millinery.
Straw
Sinamay
Felt
Feathers
Silk flower making
Trims
Head fittings, Alice bands and prongs
Dyeing sinamay/straw/feathers
A maximum of two students per session
Materials are not included.
Please email Justine before booking.
