Working to the seasons of millinery is often an odd one. The winters tend to be quiet whilst the summers are so busy you barely get the time to eat and sleep.
I find I am so much more inspired for designs when I am around clients focussing on their hats gathering ideas and pulling inspiration together. Or from going to events such as the Epsom Derby or Royal Ascot which are visual spectacles for those with a passion for style, fashion and millinery. Because of this I often find my inspiration to create my spring summer collection over the winter months is somewhat lacking, that buzz and excitement and sense of urgency just doesn’t exist like it does in the summer months….sometimes the winter feels like you can’t even imagine people wanting or buying certain pieces, but come the summer they will fly off the shelves. Not only this, but I seem to, in these quieter lulls, completely forget any inspiration for designs that I had in the busy months!!!
So this year even with lots of summer event work still on the go, I begin making the spring summer 2024 collection the week after Royal Ascot, whilst my head was still buzzing with inspiration and because I’m obviously a glutton for punishment working on a collection in what is still our busiest time of year!
By working hard over July and August the full collection was ready to shoot by mid September. And from this I discovered another added bonus of having the collection made early, and that was the weather. We were still able to shoot outside with flowers still on bushes and leaves on the trees….and we didn’t need to freeze outside in sub zero temperatures trying to create images that give the illusion of a lovely sunny day….we actually had a nice sunny day! (Well to be truthful it wasn’t sunny, but it was warm and dry and the cloud cover was the photographers dream as there was no glare from the sun!)
We shot the images at Millbridge Court, a stunning wedding and events venue just outside Farnham. We often work closely with Millbridge and their brides-to-be at their ‘Date Night’ events and have lots of mums of the brides and grooms who have weddings at Millbridge attend our studio for their headwear for the special day.
We were allowed to roam free inside the venue and outside the venue giving us a plethora of backdrops to work with……including climbing over a fallen tree into a slightly boggy meadow for one shot!!
We had the ever wonderful Emma-Jane Lewis capturing the photos. Her ability to capture shadows and angles and softness all in one alongside her very relaxed shooting style is a joy to work with and I love seeing the images from the back of the camera!
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Rachel Marquez a model and actress who I have briefly worked with more than a decade ago came onboard and stole the show, her classic features and vintage edge to her style and easy movement in front of the camera took your breath away at times. – We have since used Rachels services again for some social media content, so if you want to see more from her, take a look here.
Hanna Wildman was on hair and makeup. We have used Hanna’s services before and with her proactive work style, always ready to jump in to move a stray hair or touch up the lipstick, she really does complete the team.
My colleague Ali and I did all the styling, steaming, and behind the scenes organisation whilst also directing the shoot on the day.
This year’s collection was inspired by easy to wear pieces, and a lightness of touch. I really focused on bringing in bright bold colours, balanced with more neutral pieces, metallic gold came through strongly in this collection, a great ‘neutral’ tone to pep up almost any outfit! – Metallics are the new neutral!! and of course the classic and timeless monochrome all mixed with glorious textural finishes.
There is something for all events, from dramatic Royal Ascot styling, to vintage inspirations and classic mother of the bride looks with a modern edge.
I am thrilled to launch our new collection for spring summer 2024. Hopefully it’s bright colours and fun designs pop a little smile on your face and get you thinking and inspired for your headwear for the upcoming season, whether you are mother of the bride, mother of the groom, wedding guest or looking for a day at the races or a garden party, we have style inspiration for you!
We have also created several behind the scenes ‘reel’ videos from the day which we have posting on our Instagram pages over the last few months…which can be found HERE.
…………………………Oh and the other bonus of finishing our collection so early was that the pressure was off over the quieter winter months……….so guess what?! Without that pressure to create a collection over the winter months……We ended up designing a whole other collection as well!!!! A collection with a mission….watch this space….it’s coming soon!
Once again a special thanks to:
Venue: Millbridge Court
Photographer: Emma-Jane Lewis
Hair and makeup: Hanna Wildman
Millinery and Photoshoot Assistants: Ali Thornley and Kate Atkin
Model: Rachel Marquez
If you are an early bird already looking for your spring and summer headwear then everything from this new collection is currently available to purchase online or from our showroom – be warned each piece is a one off and may not be recreated so if you see one you want just as it is, don’t hang around! just click on each image to be taken to it’s online sales page! or for all of our pieces currently in stock. please click here
As always, all our millinery and headwear designs can just be an inspiration, we can, make in alternative colours or design millinery with you for your event and for you outfit as well. Which we can then create bespoke for you in our in house workroom, all we need to get started is a 6 week lead-time and a consultation with you!
You can book your complimentary consultation appointment here.
We look forward to seeing you for all of your spring and summer events!
Beverley