The King’s Foundation graduate Finley Howie announced as 2026 recipient of Ascot’s £10,000 millinery bursary

Ascot Racecourse has announced Finley Howie as the 2026 recipient of its £10,000 annual millinery bursary, awarded in partnership with the CHANEL & The King’s Foundation Métiers d’Art Millinery Fellowship. Now in its second year, the bursary reflects Ascot’s ongoing commitment to supporting the future of millinery and preserving heritage craft skills within a contemporary context.

The award is presented annually to a graduating student of the Fellowship, a 35-week intensive programme based at Highgrove Gardens, His Majesty The King’s private residence in Gloucestershire. Finley completes the programme this year, following a period of intensive training and development across both traditional and modern millinery techniques.

A milliner, designer and maker, Finley brings a distinctive perspective grounded in craftsmanship, sustainability and material innovation. His work explores the balance between tradition and modernity, creating contemporary headwear rooted in a deep understanding of construction, form and finish. His portfolio spans bespoke commissions for British television personalities, alongside directional pieces informed by music and street culture.

Before specialising in millinery, Finley worked as a bespoke lampshade maker, collaborating with interior designers and hotels. Working across delicate silks and structured textiles, he developed a refined understanding of fabric behaviour and construction – further complemented by an earlier background in carpentry and joinery. Together, these disciplines inform a practice defined by precision, structure and a considered approach to materials.

Finley’s journey into millinery began through a focus on sustainable design and a desire to create locally made, meaningful pieces. What started as self-directed exploration quickly developed into a dedicated pursuit of the craft. During the Fellowship, he has further refined his technical and creative approach through an internship with Philip Treacy, alongside training with expert tutors at The King’s Foundation and milliners at Maison Michel, part of le19M in Paris.

Looking ahead, Finley aims to establish a body of work that reflects a modern approach to millinery, creating timeless headwear designed to be both relevant and enduring.

“Receiving this bursary from Ascot is an incredible honour at such a pivotal moment in my career. My work is rooted in traditional techniques, but always with an eye to how they can evolve for today. The support from the CHANEL and King’s Foundation Fellowship has been invaluable in shaping both my technical practice and creative direction, and I’m excited to continue building a body of work that feels both contemporary and made to last.”

Finley Howie