The Work

Milliners design and create hats. Increasingly the design aspect is done on computers using Computer Aided Design (CAD). But still, a good level of draughtsmanship is required.  
 
Hats can be made from almost any material. Milliners work with a wide variety of materials from straw and paper to velvets and silks. The hat is created by building up its basic shape from which an aluminium block may be made for mass manufacture.  
 
Some milliners create hats based on historical designs, especially if working for a television or film company.

Further Information

• Milliner - from: RTÉ

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Most entrants to this career are graduates, millinery is offered as an option in many degrees in fashion design. private colleges also run short courses in millinery.  
 
For entry into courses and employment a portfolio of work is required.

Traiing & Development 

FET Centre PLC Course Fashion Design, Dress Making and Millinery, costume design NFQ level 5 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Higher Education CAO Entry Design in Fashion design & Textiles for Product and Costume courses at NFQ levels 7-8 search our CAO coursefinder 

Last Updated: July, 2022

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €42k

Salaries vary by employer in line with location, skills, market rates, experience, and duties of the role.

Data Source(s):
Indeed.ie/ Glassdoor/ Workplace relations/ Payscale.com

Last Updated: May, 2022

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• The Council of Irish Fashion Designers

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