Sophie Dallison

Normally at this time of year, the summer season is in full swing with excitement mounting and everyone racing around, trying to find the perfect hat and matching outfit for Royal Ascot. Usually, at Rachel Trevor-Morgan Millinery, the studio would be buzzing with last minute orders, clients coming in for their final fittings and Rachel’s team would be working late into the night, putting the final touch on each creation that is unique and befitting the occasion.

However, due to Covid-19, the studio remains deserted, with no one to try on the beautiful millinery pieces. Around the world, a more or less cancelled social calendar has left milliners somewhat stranded, but not without optimism and ideas on how those stunning collections might still be able to see the light of day before the summer is over.

Millinery is a very seasonal business with most of our orders coming in the spring season. This is the first time we have ever known such a quiet month of June. Usually there are weddings, garden parties and of course the great race meetings. The cancellation of all events has been a huge shock to all of us, but I’m hoping that when lockdown is over, everyone will want to dress up and what better way to celebrate life and the future than with a hats to match the occasion!

This year Royal Ascot will be held behind closed doors and we have learnt that a host of people will be holding their own special ‘Royal Ascot parties’ behind their garden walls. With social distancing in place and the restrictions being progressively lifted, what better way than to hold your personal picnic – Ascot Style – in your own garden!

You may be familiar with the photo of NHS workers in their PPE visors hand-made by a group of volunteers. It circulated in the press or on social media and it has become the poster for the #VisorArmy effort to produce PPE equipment for our frontline workers. During lockdown, the RTM team got involved and worked from home to produce over 2,000 PPE visors for NHS workers.

#VisorArmy are a community-based volunteer group making medical visors at home, for use by ICU doctors and nurses across London hospitals.

It is the brainchild of ICU Consultant Deborah Braham and managed accross London by hub coordinators. The protective visors are made using a glue gun and 3 simple components: acetate sheets, foam padding and elastic. These Visors are vital protective equipment for ICU staff, and help save their life, every time they are worn.