Japanese Milliner Trained Under Renowned British Couture Milliner for Designers Like Vivienne Westwood Launches Hat-Making Classes in Shibuya, Tokyo
Key facts
- Japanese Milliner Trained Under Renowned British Couture Milliner for Designers Like Vivienne Westwood Launches Hat-Making Classes in Shibuya, Tokyo
- Kaori Maeda, who trained under a world-class couture milliner in London, has officially launched hat-making classes at her 'Kaori Millinery' atelier in Hatagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo. The classes offer over 18 types of hats across 6 courses, along with single lessons and workshops.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 9, 2026
Direct answer
Kaori Maeda, who trained under a world-class couture milliner in London, has officially launched hat-making classes at her 'Kaori Millinery' atelier in Hatagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo. The classes offer over 18 types of hats across 6 courses, along with single lessons and workshops.
- Citation
- Japanese Milliner Trained Under Renowned British Couture Milliner for Designers Like Vivienne Westwood Launches Hat-Making Classes in Shibuya, Tokyo (June 9, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 9, 2026
Kaori Maeda, who trained under a world-class couture milliner in London, has officially launched hat-making classes at her 'Kaori Millinery' atelier in Hatagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo. The classes offer over 18 types of hats across 6 courses, along with single lessons and workshops.
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- 📰 Published: June 9, 2026 at 10:00
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At Kaori Millinery's atelier in Hatagaya, Tokyo, bathed in natural light.
Kaori Maeda, who honed her skills for about two years as an assistant to a world-class couture milliner in a London atelier, has officially launched hat-making classes in Hatagaya, Tokyo. Using a variety of materials such as Panama, felt, and fabric, participants can enjoy making over 18 types of hats across 6 courses.
Bringing British couture techniques to Hatagaya, Tokyo.
Captivated by hat-making and seeking techniques unavailable in Japan, Kaori Maeda traveled to London. There, she had the opportunity to study under a couture milliner who created collection hats for world-renowned designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent, and Gucci. Her sincere attitude earned her master's trust, leading to about two years of hands-on training as an atelier assistant. After returning to Japan in 2014, she established her atelier, Kaori Millinery, in Tokyo in 2015, offering classes alongside bespoke hat production. With a move to Hatagaya, Shibuya Ward in 2025, she has fully launched her class business.
About Kaori Maeda, the founder.
At age 25, while working as a web designer, she visited London intending it as a 'summer vacation of her life.' There, she met the world-class couture milliner who would become her master and made her first hat. The sensation of creating form with her hands and body sparked her first interest in hat-making.
After awakening to the joy of hat-making, Maeda returned to Japan and attended a hat vocational school. However, after graduation, she revisited her master to test her skills and realized she was still far from proficient. This led to her decision to study in London in earnest.
To spend as much time as possible learning under her master, she went to the UK on a student visa for language studies. She attended language school in the mornings and her master's studio in the afternoons. She accumulated about two years of training by receiving lessons in exchange for her work as an assistant, covering living expenses by handling work for Japanese clients at night, leveraging her experience as a web designer.
After returning to Japan in 2014, she established her atelier, Kaori Millinery, in Tokyo in 2015. For over ten years, she has focused on creating high-end bespoke hats, holding order events at high-end select shops and salons for department store VIP clients. To share her experience and the techniques and philosophy of hat-making she received from her master, she fully launched her class business with the move to Hatagaya in 2025.
Service Details
Kaori Millinery's hat-making classes are held at her atelier in Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (a 7-minute walk from Hatagaya Station on the Keio New Line). Participants can create over 18 types of hats across 6 courses, including bucket hats, berets, caps, felt hats, and headdresses. In addition to single lessons at ¥10,000 per hour (tax included, some material costs included), curriculum courses are available to sequentially learn multiple materials like Panama, felt, and fabric. Taking a course offers a discount of about one-third compared to single lessons.
Click here for lesson details.
Making hat-making more accessible. Workshops are also held regularly.
In addition to curriculum courses and single lessons, themed workshops such as 'Summer Hats for Sun Protection' and 'Headbands' are planned. Beginners can easily participate and take home their own unique piece in 1-2 sessions.
Past workshop piece: 'Velvet Ribbon Headband'
Kaori Millinery Hat Class Page: https://kaorimillinery.com/lesson/
Kaori Millinery Official Website: https://kaorimillinery.com/
Kaori Maeda, who honed her skills for about two years as an assistant to a world-class couture milliner in a London atelier, has officially launched hat-making classes in Hatagaya, Tokyo. Using a variety of materials such as Panama, felt, and fabric, participants can enjoy making over 18 types of hats across 6 courses.
Bringing British couture techniques to Hatagaya, Tokyo.
Captivated by hat-making and seeking techniques unavailable in Japan, Kaori Maeda traveled to London. There, she had the opportunity to study under a couture milliner who created collection hats for world-renowned designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent, and Gucci. Her sincere attitude earned her master's trust, leading to about two years of hands-on training as an atelier assistant. After returning to Japan in 2014, she established her atelier, Kaori Millinery, in Tokyo in 2015, offering classes alongside bespoke hat production. With a move to Hatagaya, Shibuya Ward in 2025, she has fully launched her class business.
About Kaori Maeda, the founder.
At age 25, while working as a web designer, she visited London intending it as a 'summer vacation of her life.' There, she met the world-class couture milliner who would become her master and made her first hat. The sensation of creating form with her hands and body sparked her first interest in hat-making.
After awakening to the joy of hat-making, Maeda returned to Japan and attended a hat vocational school. However, after graduation, she revisited her master to test her skills and realized she was still far from proficient. This led to her decision to study in London in earnest.
To spend as much time as possible learning under her master, she went to the UK on a student visa for language studies. She attended language school in the mornings and her master's studio in the afternoons. She accumulated about two years of training by receiving lessons in exchange for her work as an assistant, covering living expenses by handling work for Japanese clients at night, leveraging her experience as a web designer.
After returning to Japan in 2014, she established her atelier, Kaori Millinery, in Tokyo in 2015. For over ten years, she has focused on creating high-end bespoke hats, holding order events at high-end select shops and salons for department store VIP clients. To share her experience and the techniques and philosophy of hat-making she received from her master, she fully launched her class business with the move to Hatagaya in 2025.
Service Details
Kaori Millinery's hat-making classes are held at her atelier in Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (a 7-minute walk from Hatagaya Station on the Keio New Line). Participants can create over 18 types of hats across 6 courses, including bucket hats, berets, caps, felt hats, and headdresses. In addition to single lessons at ¥10,000 per hour (tax included, some material costs included), curriculum courses are available to sequentially learn multiple materials like Panama, felt, and fabric. Taking a course offers a discount of about one-third compared to single lessons.
Click here for lesson details.
Making hat-making more accessible. Workshops are also held regularly.
In addition to curriculum courses and single lessons, themed workshops such as 'Summer Hats for Sun Protection' and 'Headbands' are planned. Beginners can easily participate and take home their own unique piece in 1-2 sessions.
Past workshop piece: 'Velvet Ribbon Headband'
Kaori Millinery Hat Class Page: https://kaorimillinery.com/lesson/
Kaori Millinery Official Website: https://kaorimillinery.com/
FAQ
Where is Kaori Millinery's hat-making class located?
It is in Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, a 7-minute walk from Hatagaya Station on the Keio New Line.
How much does a lesson cost?
A single lesson is ¥10,000 per hour (tax included, some material costs included).
What types of hats can I make?
You can make over 18 types across 6 courses, including bucket hats, berets, caps, felt hats, and headdresses.