Hi there! My name is Claire Strickland and I am the designer maker behind CONCRETE HALO.

I fell in love with hats 20 years ago and I've been making them ever since. Over that time I have made custom headwear for theatre and film. My hats have entertained audiences at The Globe, Dr Who, English National Opera and many more theatres and big budget films.

I trained at Bretton Hall Art College and The London College of Fashion for 3 years in sculpture, mask and puppet making. I then learned the craft of traditional hat making, on a 5 year apprenticeship at Royal Warrant holders Lock & Co Hatters. I was taught by amazing milliners who had been making hats for over 30 years.

I make my hats and headdresses in small batches from my studio in East London. My designs for CONCRETE HALO fuse vintage shapes with modern wearability. I am inspired by 1930's and 40's fashion, pavement cracks, military buttons, Victorian metal work, dusky summer sunsets, tropical fish and Bauhaus paintings to name a few.

Hats have the power to transform your mood and express your personality. Much of the headwear for sale on this site are unique, one-off creations.

(PS - you can see my portfolio of hats for film, theatre and TV over on www.clairestrickland.com )