Make it: Hats

In this hands-on family workshop, create your own extraordinary hat, inspired by nature, art and the unexpected.

Inspired by the Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art exhibition, explore imagery from the natural world, extraordinary fashion creations and everyday objects to spark ideas for your own design. The first step is finding inspiration, discover how designers can transform the familiar into something completely new — and how a little imagination can turn a simple hat into a statement. 

Then it’s time to get designing. Sketch your ideas and experiment with shapes, colours, textures and details before choosing your favourite design to bring to life. 

Finally, the making begins.  Lead by Matthew, bring your ideas to life. Working directly onto a hat, add felt, tissue paper, other fabric and craft materials. You’ll learn how small changes can make a big visual impact as your idea develops from a sketch into something you can wear. 

At the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with your own magnificent hat — a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art that you designed and made yourself. You'll leave with new hat making skills and would have worked with a designer that has designed a hat for Lady Gaga! 

All materials will be provided, all sourced sustainably. 

No previous experience is necessary, just come along and join in!

The 10:30 workshop is recommended for ages 5-7; 13:00 is recommended for ages 8-10 and 15:00 is recommended for 11-13. Each workshop is 90 minutes long.

Please click on 'download brochure' on the right-hand side if you'd like to find out more about fashion designer Matthew David Andrews. Click here  to find out even more about Matthew.

Tickets are £20 minimum for one adult and child pair. Children must be always accompanied by an adult.

Please note that adults will be able to attend only if they've booked a child ticket too. Materials will be allocated to the children within your group. Adults will be working together with their children.   

This is a families event for adults to take part in with their children; no child can be left unattended.

Please double-check that you are available for an event before booking tickets, we only offer refunds in exceptional circumstances. If the V&A needs to cancel the event due to an emergency, or for any reason beyond the control of the V&A, we will reschedule your booking for a later date. If it’s not possible to reschedule your booking, we will offer a full refund.

Visit Essentials and Accessibility  
Food and drinks - Children's meal deals and highchairs are available in our cafés. Packed lunches can be eaten in the Lunchroom or John Madejski Garden.
   
Breastfeeding & Baby Changing - Breastfeeding is welcome throughout the V&A. Quiet spaces are available for those who prefer privacy. Baby changing facilities are available in most toilets.
   
Buggy Park - There are main buggy park areas near Cromwell Road entrance and the cloakroom near Exhibition Road entrance. Ask a member of staff to direct you to a buggy park. 
 
This visual story provides images and information to help you plan and prepare for your visit to the museum V&A South Kensington visual story.

The Museum is accessible and step-free. Please find further information by clicking here. 

Ear defenders - ear defenders are available to pick up from the Learning Centre Desk. 

To join our families mailing list please click here.

If you have any further questions, please email the families team on families@vam.ac.uk.