Hats off to Penarth milliner (From Penarth Times)

Hats off to Penarth milliner

8:10am Saturday 4th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

A PENARTH milliner beat hundreds of designers to make it through to the final of an international hat-making competition.

Catherine Povey, of Bedwas Place, was one of seven finalists in the ‘Who Wants to be a Milli-naire’ competition.

The mum-of-three was at Royal Ascot two weeks ago for the final, where she was up against designers from Ireland, Spain and America.

Although she just missed out on winning the event, Catherine - who only set up her hat-making business three years ago - was glad of the experience.

“I was blown away to be honest,” she said.

“More than 500 people entered the competition, so it was a real achievement to make the final seven.

“My hat will now be on sale in John Lewis in Oxford Street, which is amazing!”

Her appearance in the final marks a whirlwind three years for Catherine, after she decided she wanted a career change.

She said: “I was working as a speech and language therapist but had just had my second baby and wanted to do something different “David Morgan closed in Cardiff and I thought, ‘Where are we going to buy our hats now?’ “I’ve always been interested in fashion and saw a hat I liked on Ebay.

“I bought it and told my husband I was going to start my own millinery business!

“I had to learn from scratch by taking hats apart and working out how they were put together.

“The possibilities are limitless in colour, style, material and shape,” added Catherine.

“I can make a design to order but people can also hire hats from me.

“I find it very exciting and it’s the best career decision I have ever made.”

For more details about Catherine’s hats, visit: www.pebbleshathire.co.uk or www.catherinepovey.co.uk

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)