Alison Goodrum makes hats in Norwich under the Goodrum & Merryweather label, and she came to millinery by way of the archive. She worked as a dress historian first, and the people and details she turned up there still find their way into her designs. The making is old-fashioned in the best sense. Wool felt is shaped over wooden blocks and finished by hand in her Norwich studio, and the range runs from berets, boaters and cloches to trilbies, homburgs and the sort of hat a wedding calls for. A few are named after villages on the north Norfolk coast. There's an Overstrand, a Trimingham and a Hemsby. Jarrold in Norwich stocks them, and Alison takes private commissions if you'd rather have one made for you. She also teaches. Her taster workshops take three or four people at a time, and the only skills you need going in are threading a needle and a tacking stitch. Everyone leaves with a hat or headpiece they made themselves. Workshops are arranged on request through her website.

Awards and Recognition

Member of Heritage Crafts and the British Hat Guild.

Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/goodrumandmerryweather/

Can people visit or buy direct?

Yes, by arrangement. Commission a hat or book a taster workshop (three or four people, dates on request) through the contact form on her website. Hats are also sold at Jarrold, Norwich. There are no public studio opening hours.

Website

https://goodrumandmerryweather.wordpress.com

Address Summary

Norwich, Norfolk