Awon Golding is a one woman business operating from our P1 Studios on Bow Road, and she’s come a long way from designing accessories for retail giants Topshop and River Island. Since completing her Millinary course at Kensington Chelsea College she has built her own brand off the back of hard work, creative flair and consistent networking.

Her signature piece is her icecream hat, which she regularly reinvents. Her drive for creating these expressive headpieces began when she had to make her own for her stepbrother’s wedding due to a lack of exciting choices in shops:

I always wore hats as a teenager and I continue to make pieces I would wear myself; fun and fresh designs for modern women.

After graduating with her collection inspired by traditional Japanese arts and crafts methods, Liberty were quick to snap up her work. She attributes this quick success to the use of Instagram where aspiring artists and designers can gain access to people and companies which would otherwise be unapproachable. This collection focuses on the five elements according to Japanese tradition: Earth, Wing, Fire, Water and the Void. This collection was so appreciated that Hatwoman bought it all! This was her pivotal moment and since then Golding has gone from strength to strength, being stocked in Fornum & Mason, Suzannah and high-end stores in Australia, America and Hong Kong.

Golding has been in London for eight years and has been operating as a business for 3. Each year she creates two new collections as well as brand new bridal designs. She attributes much of her know-how in business to her time as an appretice for the likes of Noel Stewart and Edwina Abbotson, where she refined her skills and learnt how to balance accounts, creativity and PR marketing:

Internships are so important when you are looking to set up your own brand. Business wise I learnt how to deal with clients and handle accounts as well as fine-tuning my skills as a milliner.

Golding’s pieces can often be seen at Royal Ascot, where her most eccentric pieces can be put on show. Even the likes of Lady Gaga has snapped up the opportunity to try on her creations in this Instagram post:

Thank u for the killer hat Awon Golding. Nothing like a great hat to top off the day. I feel like Isabella Blow.

Building your own brand from scratch isn’t always easy, Golding stresses:

It takes dedication, stamina. To anyone in the same position I was 3 years ago: stick at it, play the long game.’

Intrigued? Keep an eye out for our Open Studios dates 2018 which will be announced here, where you can meet Awon Golding and visit her studio!

Bow Arts is committed to supporting communities and artists, offering affordable, top-notch creative workspaces at 12 sites across London to help creatives to thrive and grow their practices. If you’re an artist, designer or maker who’s interested in our studios, find out more and apply here!