These hats made out of roadkill are simply to die for!

IT IS hard to imagine looking foxy in a hat made out of an animal that has been squashed by a vehicle.

Budding designer James Faulkner has no such problem, though – he has managed to turn roadkill into couture by using the wings, feathers and furs of unfortunate animals to create a stylish headwear collection.

Mr Faulkner, 27, from the New Town, is gearing up to parade 36 animal hats under the spotlight rather than the headlights at a fashion show that will mark the end of his 18-week milliners course.

• Would you like wear one of the hats made out of roadkill by a city milliner? Vote here

The quirky designer, who is currently studying at Edinburgh's Telford College, will display elegant headwear on 14 May at the Hawke and Hunter bar, alongside a collection of artists.

The feathers or furs of foxes, magpies, rabbits, wood pigeons, pheasants, mallards, crows and peacocks make up the centrepiece of the creations.

Mr Faulkner, who started making the hats in May 2009, said: "It sounds very sinister, but I find it very satisfying to make something beautiful from something gruesome.

"It started when my friend wanted to buy a hat for her wedding. Without thinking, I said I'd make one, then I instantly panicked, but one day I was walking along the road and I spotted a magpie in quite a sorry state. I knew that my friend's dress was black and white so I thought it could work. I picked it up using a plastic bag and later used the wing feathers to make the hat. It sounds awful, but I cut off the wings with an axe.

"When I told her it was made of roadkill she was very shocked and said she had images of maggots falling off her head, but it went down a treat at the wedding.

He added: "The bride even mentioned it during her vows, which sounds crazy."

Mr Faulkner, who is also interested in taxidermy and makes brooches and accessories out of fur, said that he does all the plucking and skinning of the animals himself.

Despite its grim nature, he added that the process helps him cope with his anxiety and depression: "It seemed a bit odd at first but I quickly got used to it.

"Usually I pluck or skin the animal, scrape off any fat and treat it with a salt solution.

"Essentially I feel like I am turning something sad into something quite stylish, and I think it's good that the animal doesn't just rot on the road."