Heather Norman on Handcrafted Hats, Nature’s Inspiration and Ladies Day at Bath Racecourse
Bath Racecourse sits down with local milliner Heather Norman to talk hat-making, creative inspiration, and her top fashion tips for Ladies Day.
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There are hats, and then there are Heather Norman’s hats. Each one is nature-inspired, entirely hand-sewn, and takes weeks to make. Heather, whose millinery shop has called Bath home for seven years, is one of the artisans who brings a touch of local craftsmanship to race days at Bath Racecourse – and she’s delighted to be part of it.
From Hobby to Craft: How Heather Became a Milliner
Like many of the best creative journeys, Heather’s started close to home. “My mother had a hat shop” she says simply, explaining how her love of millinery began. For years she kept making hats as a hobby alongside other work, but fifteen years ago she decided to take the plunge and train properly.
“I started training with Annie Stafford Townsend,” Heather explains, “and she taught me everything.” That foundation in traditional technique now underpins every piece she creates.
Nature in Every Stitch
Ask Heather where her inspiration comes from and the answer is immediate: the natural world. “A lot of what I see in nature,” she says. “The clouds. So it’s a lot of nature-based.”
That philosophy is visible in her creations. Sitting beside one of her latest pieces – a striking blue wide-brimmed hat she calls “Clara” – Heather walks through the making process. “I start off with strips of fabric,” she explains, showing how the raw material is curved and shaped by hand before being constructed piece by piece. “It’s all hand-sewn wire,” she adds, pointing to the fine structure that gives the brim its elegant sweep.
Clara, she reveals, took her roughly two and a half to three weeks to complete – a reminder that true craftsmanship can’t be rushed.
Ladies Day: Pure Excitement
When asked what Ladies Day at Bath Racecourse means to her, Heather’s face lights up. “Oh, I’m really excited,” she says. “I love just to be close up to the horses.” It’s that mix of racing atmosphere, style, and community that makes the event special for her – and for the customers who commission her work specifically for the occasion.
Her Top Fashion Tips for the Races
Heather is passionate about helping racegoers look and feel their best, and she has clear, practical advice for anyone putting together a Ladies Day outfit.
Think about your hair colour. “Always look at your hair colour,” she says, because the tones you wear close to your face will either work with or against your natural colouring.
Consider your whole look. “Think about style and comfortability,” Heather advises, “because you’re going to be in your outfit all day.” A hat that works beautifully with your handbag and shoes – whether contrasting or tonal – will always look more considered than a standalone statement piece.
Contrast or coordinate, but choose. Her key question: “Handbag and shoes – do they match? Are they a contrasting colour, or are they a block colour?” Deciding that before you buy makes everything else easier.
Comfort is non-negotiable. This is advice that often gets overlooked, but Heather is firm: you’ll be standing, walking, and socialising for hours. Style matters, but so does being able to enjoy the day.
For those who want more guidance, Heather points racegoers to her Bath Races Page, where she has put together a full set of styling tips to help people dress with confidence for race days.
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Bath Racecourse’s Ladies Day is one of the highlights of the West Country racing calendar. Whether you’re commissioning a bespoke piece or choosing from ready-to-wear, supporting local artisans like Heather Norman means arriving at the races in something truly one of a kind.
You can watch the full interview and follow Bath Racecourse on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes stories from the people who make race days special.