This piece is inspired by the glamorous and exotic hats worn at the Henley Royal Regatta, a fabulous annual event in Henley on Thames.

The piece is bright and optimistic with bold shapes and colours inspired by local milliner Liz Felix along with a few vintage hats spotted at HRR over past years. Each hat is different, some worn by men and some by women and they capture the drama, excitement and style of a day by the riverside watching the different races. The background of the piece is collaged with a vintage race programme and within the hats are collaged fragments of a local ordnance survey map.

The local towns and villages along the River Thames are shown along with places of interest and the key of the map. There are also tiny birds perched and camouflaged within the feathers and shapes. These are vintage collectors cards, a subtle reference to the individuality and beautiful detailing of the hand-crafted hats.

The birds also hint that people can be glamorous and colourful and also live in harmony alongside nature.. though I have to admit the birds always win the prize for glamour if I had to choose!