Good Bye London, For Now.

Dear London,
Your grey skies and brick buildings welcomed us to city living.  We landed here in 2011 and only meant to be your guest for a couple of years, to enrich our lives with your worldliness and history. Little did we know your beguiling ways would enchant us for a surprising ten years and we would become part of your  family.

The Anchor Pub
Pub on Bankside along the Thames
Chainmail and helmet try on
2012 my youngest daughter (L) and youngest son (R) enjoy the interactive attractions at one of the many museums.

Thank you for sharing your people. Friends who have welcomed us into their hearts and homes. Diverse communities that have expanded my children’s minds and attitudes towards others. Hardy companions for my husband to stand out in all types of weather for a round of beer.

The 137 at Sloan Square
The 137 at Sloan Square
2016 Eldest daughter wears a hat I made.

I appreciate,  all the people who taught me to make hats within the context of a city and country were hats, history and craftsmanship are so intertwined that it is impossible to tease apart the individual fibres that create the most enchanting headwear.

London Skyline 2021
London Skyline 2021
London Hat Week, Hat Walk with Elly and Ana
2016 London Hat Week – Hat Walk with Elly Stemerdink and Ana Pribylova

London, you have changed our lives immeasurably for the better. I hope that in some small way that I have given back to you, my adopted city and country. I will strive to be an ambassador of craftsmanship and tolerance, by embracing uniqueness in people which makes their art and their communities special.

For all that you have given me, I am thankful.

Man with hat and bike at Covent Garden
Man on the street at Covent Garden
Tricorne in art at National Gallery
Hats in old art at the National Portrait gallery
Hat in new art at National Portrait gallery
Hats in new art at National Portrait gallery, by John Borowicz
Vintage top hats on display
Vintage top hats on display

It is with a heavy heart and a fair amount of tears that I say good bye, at least good bye for now.

Love,
Leanne

As of October 2021, I will be settling into a new reality of making, teaching and writing about hats from Santa Cruz, California. Please, sign up for the newsletter to hear about new workshops and events.

Bonus photos — A lovely find at a charity shop in Balham, London yesterday.
A Top Hat and Box that I over heard a charity shop manager discussing with a member of her staff and she allowed some photos. 

Grey silk top hat
Beautiful grey silk top hat.
Top hat box at Charity shop in Balham
Top hat box at Charity shop in Balham
Top hat silk lining, wide leather band, crest and initials
Top hat silk lining, wide leather band, crest and initials

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Leanne

Hatter, Milliner, Adventurer, Mother, Wife, and maker of many things including this blog and podcast.

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