Westonbirt welcomed former pupil who turned passion into a career

22 June 2023

Westonbirt was delighted to welcome a former pupil back to the School recently. Known for her intricate headpieces, crowns, millinery, race wear, and jewellery for brides and the red carpet is entrepreneur and Westonbirt Alumnus, Hermione Harbutt. Hermione graduated from Westonbirt School in 2001 and went on to university where she took her passion and turned it into a successful career.

“I have always been a maker since I was a child and everyone was like ‘Oh you should really do things for brides’ but at the time it was all very tall crowns and not my style, so I thought I’ll make some things that I would like to wear and I absolutely loved making them and I found such a passion for it,” said Hermione.

Hermione started her business in 2008 and since then she has looked back with great appreciation for Westonbirt in allowing her to become the person she is today.

“Westonbirt helped me massively by equipping me with so many different skills that I use in my business now. Being an entrepreneur is so much more than just the skill you are selling or

exchanging, so it’s not just the product;  it is so many other things you need to do. Westonbirt taught me to be really resilient and sufficient and I am pretty grateful for that,” said Hermione.

“I did young enterprise when I was at Westonbirt and I think that helped me get a grasp of this business and let me feel like anything is possible.”

Aside from being a renowned master artisan, Hermione is also known for her warmth and personal approach with all her clients. She also enjoys teaching and coming back to Westonbirt to give back all that she has learnt to current students.  She also returns occasionally to showcase her beautiful pieces throughout the elegant estate rooms and colourful gardens.

“We regularly have to undertake campaign photoshoots for my new collections and that is what brings me back to Westonbirt because it is such a lovely environment and I enjoy coming back to this lovely place and showcasing it,” said Hermione. “I also really love coming back and giving back by attending the careers fairs and talking to some of the students about being in business and entrepreneurship and what that involves. I feel it is nice to remind them that you don’t necessarily have to go off to study to be a doctor or a dentist and there are other amazing careers out there that you can do and that don’t necessarily tie into what you have done in university.”

In College Hermione studied Child Psychology and Social Policy, she says ‘it only shows that you don’t have to do what you study at University.’

Hermione has been featured in a long list of magazines for her work and continues to be a consummate couturier and creator of accessory dreams, creating heirloom pieces to be treasured and loved for years to come. To follow Hermione Harbutt, please follow her on Instagram @hermioneharbutt.