Walking into the converted coach house studio of Alison Roe’s period home, it is evident that this milliner draws inspiration from her surroundings. Living – and working – on a beef farm just outside Knock village in Co Tipperary, Alison is surrounded by nature and laughs when she tells Irish Country Living that she often sees pheasants on the avenue and wonders if they know she uses their feathers for her headpieces. Hats of tweed, velvet and fur decorate the display tables of her snug studio, including one brown felt hat that has the tail feathers of a pheasant stretching into the air.“I like them natural with the natural colour and the natural shape. They are just spectacular, especially the tail feathers – they are so long and elegant,” she enthuses.