Fancy some feathers? Have a penchant for pink? Hankering after height? Or need a hat that will work with spectacle frames, hearing aids or a facemask? Be the belle (or beau) of any ball by commissioning a one-off creation made to your specific preferences and requirements and that suits your personality and stature.
The notes that follow supply prospective clients with a detailed account of what happens, in what order, where and how. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the commissioning process and how it all works: I am always happy to clarify and explain.
Pricing : At Goodrum & Merryweather, a personally commissioned piece, which is blocked and made by hand to a custom design, begins at approximately £175, escalating up to approximately £475 for more complex or elaborate work. Pricing is quoted on a case-by-case basis and varies from hat to hat depending on choice of materials and trims, techniques, time and labour intensity. Payment is made, usually by PayPal or bank transfer, at the very end of the process after the Final Fitting and upon issue of an invoice.
Notes On How To Commission
Step 1 : Get In Touch. The first step in the commissioning process is to make contact with me to arrange an appointment for an initial consultation. Commissioning may sound like a daunting prospect but there is no cause for concern. In fact, being involved in the design and development of your very own hat can contribute to the excitement, anticipation and memory-making surrounding your event. I am keen to ensure that every client has a relaxed and enjoyable experience from start to finish, and I relish sharing the behind-the-scenes secrets of my millinery studio and creative process. Ideally, it is best to work at least six weeks in advance of your special occasion (although I will try to accommodate rush orders where possible). This may sound like a long lead time but I make and finish all of my hats by hand and I will also need time to source and order materials from specialist suppliers.
Step 2 : Initial Consultation. This will be an opportunity to meet each other, say hello and learn more from you about the event you’re due to attend, your chosen outfit and what tone you wish to strike with your hat in terms of style references and inspiration. It will be about an hour in duration, informal and friendly, and it can take place via WhatsApp, as distance (my studio is located in Norwich, England) and circumstances dictate. The Initial Consultation is exploratory and you will be under no obligation to pursue the commission at this stage.
It is useful for me to have seen an image/s of your outfit (if you have one, a link to a website or online retailer works well) prior to the Initial Consultation, so that I have some context before our discussion. You should also bring along your outfit to the appointment, including shoes (different hats suit different heights and proportions). All of this helps in the development of the design of the hat and ensures you have a cohesive overall look.
If you have a clear idea of the type of hat or headpiece that you are seeking, then this is wonderful and I will do my best to realise your vision. However, if you are not sure about what you’re looking for or feel less confident about hat wearing, then the consultation is an ideal opportunity to share your likes and dislikes with me (honesty and directness are welcome). I will guide you, very gently, through options relating to sizes, shapes, colours, materials, trims and styling. By the end of our conversation, we should have mapped out a direction of travel, made some key decisions and arrived at a shared understanding of the hat that I will make for you, should you choose to take up the commission.
After the consultation, I will cost out the price of the hat according to the materials selected, labour required and complexity of design. I will generate a written quote and send this to you, usually via email.
Step 3 : Making & Creating Phase. I will only start making your hat once I have received written confirmation from you that you wish to go ahead with the commission and have accepted my quote. The time it takes me to make a hat varies quite significantly and, potentially, three weeks (possibly more, possibly less) may pass at this stage in the process as I gather supplies and go about making and fabricating your creation for you. My approach is painstaking and I subscribe to the Slow Fashion ethos, which values thoughtful design and quality over quantity in the production of heirloom pieces. Ordinarily, I will next be in touch when I am at mock up (‘maquette’) stage to arrange a First Fitting appointment (again, this can be carried out on WhatsApp, if necessary).
Step 4 : First Fitting. At the First Fitting you will have the opportunity to see the hat mocked up in its near-finished form and, if in person, you will be able to handle it and try it on. Certain minor adjustments (such as the angle of a feather or adding to/reducing trims) may be possible at this stage. Once you are completely satisfied with the mock up and have approved the final design, I will sew everything permanently in place and complete your commission for you.
Step 5 : Final Fitting. This appointment will be in person at a mutually convenient time and date (and almost always takes place at my studio in Norwich). You will try on the hat and, if you feel comfortable doing so, you are welcome to bring along your outfit to showcase the complete look. In some instances, I will use the Final Fitting to add and secure a hat elastic or fixing to your piece, checking for comfort, stability and angles. At the end of the Final Fitting, you will be able to take away your finished hat, which will be carefully packaged in smart, high grade, wrapping.
Step 6 : Invoicing. Following on from the Final Fitting, I will generate an invoice with payment details and email this to you. I ask, kindly, for every effort to be made to settle the balance within ten working days of delivery/collection. I will acknowledge safe receipt of your payment, always with thanks.
Goodrum & Merryweather 