5 reasons Why I Love Millinery (And You Should, Too!)

Couture Millinery has become my life passion, being able to create beautiful works of art to compliment an array of outfits and events. So why should we all love millinery?

  1. Expressing the personality of its wearer from embellished headbands to wide brimmed dress hats.
  2. Oh so British! Royal weddings will always see a surge in hats as will the pageantry of Royal Ascot and other racing events.
  3. The varied history of hat making, and the trends through the years… just fascinating!
  4. Celebrities and iconic women, such as Audrey Hepburn who have brought hats to the fashion forefront.
  5. Adapting hats to create the overall look, from vintage pillboxes to look the part at events such as the Goodwood Revival or being the proud Mother of the Bride at the wedding of the year.

This is why we love British Millinery and creating handmade bespoke hats for every occasion, for a consultation or to find inspiration on the perfect hat, email me or call me to arrange a consultation

 

Mad as a Hatter!

For those of you who know me, or we have met through my millinery consultation appointment, you will know this title is quite apt! I just love hats, mad about them! Beavering away till early hours of the morning threading, sewing and sculpting the perfect hat that is as unique as you, but did you know where the term ‘Mad as a Hatter’ came from? Or anything about the history of wearing hats?

Did you know the earliest record of hat-wearing comes from a cave at Lussac-les-Châteaux in central France. The rock drawings there are 15,000 years old and we’ve been putting things on our heads ever since.

I can’t imagine they would have the style and sophistication of the 21st century, they certainly wouldn’t have had the amazing materials such as beads and peacock feathers more a cap or material for practical purposes.

Bringing us more to the present day and away from caveman times, our second fascinating, (yet a little gory) fact is hats were used to poison people- literally! The term, ‘Mad as a Hatter’ comes from the process of using mercury, a highly toxic liquid which when exposed for prolonged periods can cause severe damage to the nervous system, with dementia type systems. I promise you, this would never happen at Clare Louise Millinery! You are in safe hands.

In 1960 hats became less popular, when beehive hair dos would not accommodate them. However when Princess Diana started wearing them, and Philip Treacy began designing for the Royal family, they made a huge comeback, and have been a very important part of the outfit ever since.

The wonder of wearing a hat can transform a complete look, and portrays a unique image to the individual wearing it. Combining style, fashion and attitude, the hat can give any message the wearer desires.

So my question to you, do you choose your hat first or your outfit? If this perplexes you, contact Clare Edmonds of Clare Louise Millinery or Creations Hair Salon in Chichester to book for the style event Chic! The Race is On 24th May 5:30pm to get the low down on how to dress for the 2017 race season.

Vicky Booker our Style Guru, along with Clare Louise Millinery and Creations Hair Salon will help you achieve the perfect look for Goodwood or Ascot this year.

For more information contact

Clare Edmonds  –  email me

Emma Shepherd – email me

Vicky Bookeremail me

Hats Fit for a Queen

There is something really special about us ladies getting organised for a day out at the races, or figuring out the perfect outfit for the role of Mother of the Bride or Groom at the wedding of the year. The thing that ties these two fabulous events together is Hats!

I have always had a great passion for hats, it’s amazing how you can be so creative and expressive with different headpieces or fascinators. Many years ago, after lots of research and purchasing some materials I started having a go at creating my own designs.

I was inspired at a very early age by my grandmother who was a first class seamstress, but wanted to learn the art of traditional Millinery and I was lucky to find the perfect person!

Rose Cory, who had been the Milliner to the late Queen Mother, she took me under her wing and taught me how to create bespoke handmade hats for all different occasions such as weddings, proms, and horse racing. Being local to Goodwood Racecourse and Fontwell Park, I get the chance help so many ladies with their total look.

I believe people have become interested in Hats again, I think they enjoy the glamour and elegance that a hat brings to an outfit and the way it can be used to express your personality, a hat is so much more than just a hat!

Every piece I create is made by hand, all hand sewn, every flower created and placed by hand, every piece of detail carefully thought out, which gives us the point of difference. Who knows, with the link to Royalty, you may see the lovely Kate Middleton wearing one of my hats sometime in the future!

For more information on hiring or buying hats contact Clare on 07901 717900