Mad as a Hatter

This university project focused on documenting the day-to-day life of someone with a specialised craft. I spent time with Victoria, the founder of Get Ahead Hats, who designs and creates beautiful bespoke hats from her studio beside her farmhouse. It was fascinating to learn about her process and gain an insight into the skill, creativity, and craftsmanship behind each piece. Wanting the publication to reflect the handmade nature of Victoria's work, I took an experimental approach to its design. I commissioned embroidered versions of some of my photographs and stitched them directly into the book, combining them with photography and illustration to create a tactile and playful reading experience. The publication was hand-bound using materials similar to those Victoria uses in her hat making, helping to create a piece that felt connected to both her craft and her story.