This week, I talk to Lai Symes, a milliner with over 20 years of experience in the hat business. But her creations are more than just hats: they are true works of art, crafted in collaboration with her individual clients. Lai talks to us about slow fashion, sustainable practices and the joys of doing something creative that can fit around your life and family. She joined me in her workroom, a veritable sweetshop of materials.

Lai studied languages and trained to be a languages teacher but realised something was missing. Millinery wasn’t necessarily her first choice but after a chance encounter, it became clear that this was her calling. Millinery is a combination of design, sculpture, fashion, textile and engineering. But, as we discuss, hats are also a form of communication. Before even speaking to a person, how they present themselves visually, can tell us a lot about them. What we wear and how we wear it is a language all of its own.

As with any practice where you put a product out into the world, Lai talks about how she has, at times, struggled with imposter syndrome. Over the years however, she has come to realise that by actually putting herself in the position of the learner with each new hat she makes - as each new creation is like starting anew - that sense of being a beginner has now become a part of the creative process that she really enjoys. She also provides some good ideas for when we need to overcome that fear of “what if” that I think we can all understand. There are many pros and cons of being self employed but each one can present an opportunity that makes way for growth or maybe is something that you realise isn’t for you. Afterall, we can’t be expected to do everything by ourselves.

We also discuss an exhibition that Lai has been involved with making and bringing to fruition which I’m sure will be something none of you will want to miss! Making Headway - Celebrating Sustainability in Hats will be on from the 20th September - 14th November 2025 at the Hat Works, Luton. This two month exhibition showcases incredible hats from some of the UK’s leading milliners and spotlights the creative ways milliners are working to have a greener footprint; from the traditional use of natural materials, to upcycling, use of innovative new generation materials and waste. The launch on Saturday 20th September includes a whole day of events from 10am-6pm. There will be panel discussions with milliners plus experts in the field of sustainability and the creative industries, film screenings and an all day Materials Market selling sustainable and new gen materials.

And don’t forget the competition “From Charity Shop to Ascot”... All the links are listed below, you have no excuse not to check it out! We will see you there in September!

Website:

https://laihats.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lai_hats/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Laihats

Making Headway - Celebrating Sustainability in Hats: https://www.thebritishhatguild.org.uk/making-headway

Panel Discussion tickets: https://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/panel-discussion-making-headway-celebrating-sustainability-hats

From Charity Shop to Ascot: https://www.thebritishhatguild.org.uk/from-charity-shop-to-ascot

The British Hat Guild:

https://www.thebritishhatguild.org.uk/

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