Accessories – Focus on Headwear
Let’s face it, I am not a big Royalist, but even I couldn’t resist peeking at the Royal Wedding on the telly, if for nothing else but the hats! (or fascinators, as some call them)
Although I am not a hat wearer myself, they have always made an impression on me and I think I am secretly jealous of women who wear them so well. My mother was one of those women and to her credit, she never shied away from an occasion to wear her millinery. A bold move in a country where Gallic culture views it as slightly eccentric and odd.
So back to the Royal Wedding: Philip Treacy, unsurprisingly, was the star of the show. My favourite picks on the big day were:
1. The groom’s cousin, Princess Beatrice 2. Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and 3. Lady Frederick Windsor. For more pictures of the best hats, check out People Magazine.
(Photo credits, in order: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty, Retna, Chris Jackson/Getty)
To celebrate the art of hat-making, which is clearly very much alive, I bring you some fabulously talented milliners. Each with their own very distinct style and more talent than I can sum up in a few words.
They spend hours shaping, trimming, cutting, sewing, embellishing. Bringing their ideas to life, offering you unique, handmade and stunning headwear. Their passion is obvious and comes through each and everyone of their creations.
Absolutely Hats
(Photo credits: Kaz Art Photography)
Absolutely Hats designs are both exuberant and beautifully refined, with great attention to details. Each piece is a work of art, with their own very distinct personality shining through. Fit for Ascot or a Paris Haute Couture show, no doubt, they belong with the best.
Monika, the talent behind Absolutely Hats, is a classically trained milliner and has learned from some of the top milliners in England and Germany. She also teaches hat-making classes in her Madison studio, in New Jersey. For more information, please visit Absolutely Hats or visit the Etsy store.
NBB
NBB stands for Natural Born Beauties. The designs are reminiscent of the Scarlett O’Hara days, with much added attitude. They are feminin, edgy and fun. Jesslabelle, the bubbly personality behind NBB explains that main purpose of her line is to encourage all woman to feel sexy and beautiful – “We are all beautiful. My styles are just the icing on top of the already beautiful woman”
Also worth mentioning, Jesslabelle host a Fashion & Art show with 100% proceeds going directly to a local NO KILL animal sanctuary. The show is held in the Fall at the Vintage Victorian Ventura Theater, Ventura CA. For more information, please visit NBB or the Etsy store.
Behida Dolic
Behida’s designs shine through their simplicity. Inspired by the 1920′s fashion, they boast beautifully sculpted, effortless lines, reminding me of the Art Deco movement of the same period, but perhaps as a minimalist might interpret it. The use of felt and bold colours, keeps the overall look elegant and contemporary, while having a bit of fun too.
Behida is originally from Serbia and studied Fine Arts both in Florence & San Francisco. She currently lives and works in her millinery studio in Berkeley CA. For more info, please check out Behida Dolic or the Etsy store.
Topsy Turvy Design
Topsy Turvy designs are extravagant, theatrical and simply put, magical. They transport me to the fairytales of my childhood, each telling an incredible story.
Not surprinsingly, K. Brown-Dye, the talent behind Topsy Turvy, is not only a milliner, but also a professional costumier. Whether you fancy yourself as Betty Page or Marie-Antoinette, she has a gift for making your fantasies come true, and is sure the make the most beautiful creation for your occasion.
For more information, please visit Topsy Turvy or the Etsy store.
Shenor
While Shenor provides a very wide range of styles, I was particularly drawn to their study of geometric shapes and the statement pieces they offer. They are bold, different and contemporary.
They cater to the modern woman, looking to make a bit of a statement, without crossing over into the world of exuberance. The look is almost futuristic, but suited for any formal occasion.
For more info, please visit Shenor.
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What a great post on hats. I´m like you, I don´t wear them myself but love looking at them and admire the work that goes into making it.
Hats!! They are not hats at all, they are head accessories really. I mean look at that first hat from the wedding. What is that!? Surely she is joking wearing that “hat” on her head?
Loved watching the Hats at the royal wedding, and love this blog post about hats! What a great collection is out there! If only I wore hats….
)
Monika, it’s a broad definition, clearly
I LOVE that “thing” on her head! I only wish I too could get away with wearing it and looking fab!
Such a great post; I love hats !!!
Amazing Posts! Thanks for getting it together! I do see hats as works of art & you have proven that! Hmmmmm…..in my years of modeling, I wore them well! In my real life…not since I was a child.
Hats are art in a big way, but I do not have the balls to wear them..pity. I like them a lot
Lol Inger! If anybody had the gumption to wear hats, I would imagine it was you
good