Biography
Deborah Walton trained in millinery at Leeds College of Art, graduating in the summer of 2013.
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Thanks to a minor obsession with the history of fashion, (and her background as an historical costumer), Debbie also makes historical / theatrical headgear from any period of history, for men and women.
Most of Debbie's hats and headpieces are hand made in her studio, in Yorkshire. Few of them go near even a sewing machine, let alone a factory. Like her couture work, Debbie's 'diffusion' collections are designed and assembled 'in-house', at her studio, although some from pre-made components.
Debbie's journey with a needle began a long time before she began making hats, though. She started out on a council estate in Whitley Bay, in the north east of England, closer to the Scottish border than to London (it took her until she was 17 to get there for the first time). As an inquisitive little girl being brought up by her grandmother, she wanted to know "WHY?" about everything (Debbie, not her grandmother, that is). Slightly worryingly for her Nana, the specific 'why' that she wanted to know most about was to do with fingers and sockets. So when most kids her age were watching The Flumps, she picked up her first needle and started making things, under the careful guidance of her Nana, who had trained in tailoring in the 1930s. The most common phrase for some years became 'it's not straight, do it again'!
Fast forward a few years, to an equally inquisitive ten year old, with a set of sewing skills, and a low boredom threshold. Debbie decided to learn about more than just the sewing of garments, and found a book in the local library (where she spent lots of time), in Monkseaton, all about pattern cutting (this was 'Metric Pattern Cutting', that she later used at university).
Shortly after that Debbie designed her first dress, for a Blue peter competition - she didn't get anywhere, but the design bug bit.
Since then, Debbie has designed and made all sorts of pieces, including historical costumes and wedding dresses, flags and embroidery, which have been seen on UK and US television, as well as at some prestigious locations (such as Eltham Palace, The Tower of London, and Apsley House (aka Number One, London), among many others).
In 2011, she decided to apply to go back to school to learn how to make hats, at Leeds College of Art, got an interview, and was offered a place on the spot. Two years later, she completed her course, gaining the highest grade possible, a distinction.
Debbie's headwear has been shown / used at:
- Hat Works (the hat museum in Stockport)
- 'York's Chocolate Story' (a visitor attraction in York)
- Ebor racing festival in York
- The National Army Museum
- Fenwick of York (a department store)
- In Idaho, USA, in a permanent display in a store window
- At the recent 150th anniversary celebrations on the London Underground
- By English Heritage at Brodsworth Hall
- Leeds College of Art
Most of Debbie's hats and headpieces are hand made in her studio, in Yorkshire. Few of them go near even a sewing machine, let alone a factory. Like her couture work, Debbie's 'diffusion' collections are designed and assembled 'in-house', at her studio, although some from pre-made components.
Debbie's journey with a needle began a long time before she began making hats, though. She started out on a council estate in Whitley Bay, in the north east of England, closer to the Scottish border than to London (it took her until she was 17 to get there for the first time). As an inquisitive little girl being brought up by her grandmother, she wanted to know "WHY?" about everything (Debbie, not her grandmother, that is). Slightly worryingly for her Nana, the specific 'why' that she wanted to know most about was to do with fingers and sockets. So when most kids her age were watching The Flumps, she picked up her first needle and started making things, under the careful guidance of her Nana, who had trained in tailoring in the 1930s. The most common phrase for some years became 'it's not straight, do it again'!
Fast forward a few years, to an equally inquisitive ten year old, with a set of sewing skills, and a low boredom threshold. Debbie decided to learn about more than just the sewing of garments, and found a book in the local library (where she spent lots of time), in Monkseaton, all about pattern cutting (this was 'Metric Pattern Cutting', that she later used at university).
Shortly after that Debbie designed her first dress, for a Blue peter competition - she didn't get anywhere, but the design bug bit.
Since then, Debbie has designed and made all sorts of pieces, including historical costumes and wedding dresses, flags and embroidery, which have been seen on UK and US television, as well as at some prestigious locations (such as Eltham Palace, The Tower of London, and Apsley House (aka Number One, London), among many others).
In 2011, she decided to apply to go back to school to learn how to make hats, at Leeds College of Art, got an interview, and was offered a place on the spot. Two years later, she completed her course, gaining the highest grade possible, a distinction.
Debbie's headwear has been shown / used at:
- Hat Works (the hat museum in Stockport)
- 'York's Chocolate Story' (a visitor attraction in York)
- Ebor racing festival in York
- The National Army Museum
- Fenwick of York (a department store)
- In Idaho, USA, in a permanent display in a store window
- At the recent 150th anniversary celebrations on the London Underground
- By English Heritage at Brodsworth Hall
- Leeds College of Art
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This website, and all the photographs, logos, text and other content contained within it are copyright Deborah Walton, 2013, unless otherwise stated. By entering this site you are acknowledging your awareness of this, and agreeing not to copy content without permission.'Deborah Walton' and the pictograph logo are trademarks of Deborah Walton.
This website, and all the photographs, logos, text and other content contained within it are copyright Deborah Walton, 2013, unless otherwise stated. By entering this site you are acknowledging your awareness of this, and agreeing not to copy content without permission.'Deborah Walton' and the pictograph logo are trademarks of Deborah Walton.