International award-winning milliner embraces change, creativity, and tradition with a bold new chapter in Toronto’s cultural heart.
Change is what drives artistry forward, and for internationally celebrated milliner David Dunkley, change has always been about striving higher, never settling, and continually reimagining what millinery can be. After more than 15 years of creating exquisite, handcrafted hats for men, women, brides, television, and film, David Dunkley Fine Millinery is moving from its beloved Annex location on Bathurst Street to a new and exclusive atelier at 449 Jarvis Street in Toronto’s historic district, directly across from the National Ballet of Canada. The atelier will officially open its doors in November 2025, welcoming clients to a bold new chapter in Canadian fashion.
“Here we grow,” says Dunkley. “This is a wonderful time for our company. It’s about learning, pushing boundaries, experimenting with exotic shapes, and welcoming clients to share in the beauty of creation.”
The move is the realization of a dream. For years, Dunkley envisioned working in a historic space where tradition meets innovation, a place where clients don’t just buy hats but witness artistry in motion. At the new atelier, clients will not only enjoy private consultations and bespoke fittings but will also have the rare opportunity to take part in classes where Dunkley teaches the art of millinery. Guests will be able to see — and try — traditional, historic hat-making techniques up close, from sculpting unique shapes to working with feathers and silks, making the atelier as much a creative classroom as it is a fashion destination.
“This new atelier gives me the freedom to be more adventurous,” Dunkley adds. “I want to get more exotic with my designs, introduce surprising shapes, and share the heritage of millinery with people who have never seen the magic behind it. Teaching and creating in this space will be just as exciting as unveiling the finished hats.”
Dunkley’s journey is steeped in pedigree and prestige. Trained by the Royal Milliner to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, he has created pieces for the Royal Wedding, seen his Diamond Jubilee collection inducted into the Fashion History Museum, and made history as the first official milliner of the Queen’s Plate, now the King’s Plate — Canada’s most iconic thoroughbred race. His hats have turned heads from Kentucky to Ascot, including the Royal Enclosure, cementing his reputation on the world stage.
For brides and grooms, his creations become more than accessories — they are heirlooms, hand-crafted from the finest feathers, silks, crystals, and rhinestones, never synthetic, always one-of-a-kind. For racegoers and fashion-forward clients, his hats are conversation pieces, celebrations of individuality, and symbols of daring elegance.
When the atelier officially opens its doors in November 2025, Dunkley looks forward to welcoming both loyal clients and new admirers to a space where heritage and innovation meet, where every hat tells a story, and where tradition is not only preserved but passed on to a new generation of creators.
For all enquiries, interviews and further information contact:
Victoria Lord PR
victoria@vlpr.com | 647.519.8577