About

Sophisticated, Seductive, Sensational!

Glamorous Hats is a label by Valeria Agostini, a London-based milliner who specialises in race day, wedding and special occasion couture hats. Her designs draw on her experience as a theatre designer and stage performer, creating feminine, elegant and glamorous hats that compliment the wearer and the occasion.

All of Valeria’s hats are lovingly hand-made in her Atelier in North London, using only materials of the highest quality or by restoring great condition vintage pieces, paying greatest attention to detail and execution. She is strongly influenced by both historical and contemporary styles and loves the craft of traditional millinery but also continues to learn about and use new techniques and materials such as laser cutting and thermoplastics. She designs, steams, blocks, pleats, sews, shapes, constructs, burns, melts, dyes and paints with a passion. Her hats combine stylish trims and dramatic shapes to create sensational designs that are seductive and sophisticated. Valeria’s hats are sought after by A-list celebrity stylists and have been worn to Ascot, Buckingham Palace, weddings and on stage.

ABOUT VALERIA

Having previously worked as a performer for many years, soaking up all of the backstage glamour, Valeria knows how a hat once placed on the head can enhance and transform the wearer. Her aim is to bring glamour back and instil a silent confidence in the wearer that is irresistible and empowering.

Valeria studied Theatre Design at London College of Fashion and graduated with BA(Hons) Theatre Design from Wimbledon College of Art. She completed her B-TEC Millinery 1 with a Distinction and then undertook short courses with Noel Stewart and Jane Corbett. Valeria was also influenced by Sean Barrett and Jane Smith- two of London’s most respected milliners for stage and screen.

Upon being awarded the highly regarded HNC in Millinery from Kensington and Chelsea College, Valeria broadened her skills by doing work experience with Awon Golding Millinery as well as the millinery department of the English National Opera- ENO. She also worked for Piers Atkinson Millinery before setting up her own label Glamorous Hats in late 2015.

Valeria comes from a family of classical musicians and attended her cellist father’s solo concerts from an early age. She particularly enjoyed watching the audience in glamorous evening dress. She also trained full-time in classical ballet from age 6-13. Surrounded by classical music, dance and growing up internationally her design themes are often inspired by Scandinavian Mythology or German or Eastern European folklore.

Valeria is of Bulgarian origin and spent her childhood and teenage years in Sweden and Germany. She lives in London and speaks German, English, Swedish, Bulgarian and French.