A perfect millinery event!
The Millinery Meet-Up made a glorious comeback at Arrowmont Campus on a toasty September day in 2024, and let me tell you, it was a whirlwind of creativity! Organizers, volunteers, and instructors hustled like busy bees to prep for the arrival of 56 enthusiastic students ready to dive into five fabulous days of classes. Nestled in beautiful Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Arrowmont was the ultimate backdrop—think comfy classrooms, stunning galleries, cozy digs, delicious food, and yes, the occasional wild black bear sighting!
In the main hub, the spacious auditorium transformed into the buzzing Millinery Marketplace, where students could snag the latest and greatest millinery goodies while rubbing elbows with suppliers. The opening night bash in the auditorium was a blast, with mingling, shopping, and wine flowing. The library became a peaceful retreat for students to admire the Sci-Fi hat contest, soak up knowledge from panels, and share last hurrahs at the final soirée.
In the studios, instructors and students teamed up, crafting magic day and night! Highlights included Jane Taylor dazzling everyone with her custom-painted swirled crinoline wizardry. Laura Del Villaggio cracked the code on puzzle blocks, while Biliana Borisova wowed with her leather hat and flower expertise. Edwina Ibbotson and her crew crafted majestic wings from feathers, and Mela Hoyt-Heydon schooled everyone on those oh-so-smooth millinery hand stitches. Phillip Rhodes’ students even whipped up hats that were a glorious mashup of straw and fabric, complete with his signature butterfly flair!
In the dining hall, laughter and chatter filled the air as students dined together for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After dinner, they could choose to partake in the evening fun, return to the classroom, or kick back on the patio of the Bill May Hall dorm.
Evenings were all about camaraderie and forging new friendships! A lively panel discussion tackled the nitty-gritty of business and creativity, while studio tours ignited fresh inspiration. As the final night rolled in, it was a heartwarming mix of mingling, memories, and bittersweet farewells. What a week to remember!
Darryll Osborne from Hat Blocks Australia put it best: “One of the best things about Millinery Meet-Up is the actual venue and the community of it because everyone is spending so much time together. I think it’s just the perfect millinery event“
Andrea and Patrycja, inspired by the abundant creativity and warm camaraderie during this year’s event, are already planning for the 2026 Millinery Meet-Up. Just like the previous editions of MMU were “life-changing events” for them, they want to continue to make this true for the next generation of hat makers.