Former University of Exeter student reaches award semi-finals
A FORMER University of Exeter student who set up her own hat-making business after her daughter struggled to find one for a wedding has been nominated for an award.
Tricia Hamilton, 60, has fought off competition to reach the semi-finals of the Venus Awards, which celebrates women in business.
The married-mum-of-two, who runs Tricia Designs, has been nominated for the Customer Service Award – which recognises individuals or businesses that go the extra mile.
She had retired from work as a teacher when she set up her business from her dining room table four years ago.
And today she has orders from as far as Australia and the United States and displays her work in stores across the South West.
She said: “I pride myself on providing a good service, but it is really heart-warming to think my customers have voted for me for such a prestigious award.
“I enjoyed teaching as I got to be creative and I missed that when I retired. But now I work as a milliner and I am really passionate about it.
“I love using quality materials to create unique hats and fascinators, which look beautiful from every angle.”
Tricia, who studied a Master of Education, said her business came about when her daughter, Lisa, asked her to make her a fascinator for a wedding after she was unable to find a suitable one.
Lisa, an IT security consultant, searched for weeks but failed to find the right colours for her outfit.
Lisa, 28, said: “My mum has always been great at sewing and is very creative. She can croquet in seconds and has a natural flare with fabrics. This is why I thought she would be able to make something beautiful matching my outfit.”
The former primary school teacher had been taught to sew and crochet as a child by her grandmothers. But when she was growing up, a career involving arts and crafts was not an option.
She said: “I think had I been born in a different era I would have been a designer.
“I had underachieved at school. This gave me the determination to offer my pupils a more positive experience. I understood the difficulties some children could face while learning and adjusted my classes to suit their needs.”
Tricia, who had always been skilled in arts and crafts, developed her millinery skills when she studied with top designers at Cockpit Arts in London and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.
She has not looked back and has just reached the semi-finals of a regional competition for her customer services.
The category of the Venus Awards recognises individuals or businesses that go the extra mile.
Tricia, who even makes her own lace with bobbins, said: “I pride myself on providing a good service, but it is really heart-warming to think my customers have voted for me for such a prestigious award.”
Her bespoke designs are now available in Bristol at Clifton Hill Period Costume and Textiles in Lower Clifton Hill and Pearl Bespoke in St Nicholas Street - where she is also an artist in attendance.
• The Venus Awards winners will be decided by a public vote on February 6 for one week. If you would like to vote for Tricia, visit http://www.triciadesigns.com/ and follow the instructions.
