Thursday 26 June 2014

Spot the Elusive Milliner this Saturday at Wychwood Barns


I've been working so hard at home making custom creations for weddings and showers that I haven't been anywhere else. A five second daily commute is working out really well for me! Saves a bundle on, well, just about everything, actually. However, sometimes it's a nice change to take the show on the road.

How nice of Wychwood Barns to put on the show. They do this at the end of each month in the summer, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can enjoy the farmers' market outside, and a curated show of thirty artists and artisans inside the cool converted streetcar barn. Great café, too. Very family friendly, and admission is free.

So come and spot the rarely sighted milliner. Speak softly, offer kind words and legal tender in your outstretched hand and all will be well.

Wednesday 18 June 2014

Kind Words and Full Heart


Remember when I said that no one writes to the milliner? Well, those are words I'm happy to snack on. In fact, I've been getting some lovely feedback lately from clients. (I've also started a new page about this.)

A number of ladies have come to me recently for bespoke fascinators for their tea-themed showers. It seems to be quite the thing this season. (I was more prescient than I knew when I named my bridal collection "Tea and Iced Cakes.") As always, I begged them for photos from their showers to share with you. To my great delight, some of them are actually following through! Wee-hoo!

I can't tell you how touching it is to get kind notes and souvenir photos of happy occasions where my work has made its contribution. It absolutely makes my day. Even my entire week!

Thank you thank you thank you to all the people who have said as much to me. And I hope this encourages more of the same! (Are you listening, St. Catherine, patron saint of milliners? It's me, Anne, the milliner.)

Here are some of the photos I've been sent. Chandra's are all copyright Caroline Gauthier Photography:

Chandra in her bespoke fascinator at her bridal shower. She loves the vintage family lace I used because it was made in Paris many years ago, and that's where she got engaged.

Here is a photo I took before it left my studio:

The beautiful rhinestone jewels are earrings Chandra provided.

More on the back, too.

Pinkies out!

Chandra and her lovely mother, Donna, also wearing one of my fascinators, with blingy augmentation.











Here is my photo of it:

















Chandra's mother-in-law-to-be, Elizabeth, on the right, and Elizabeth's mother, on the left.












My photo of Elizabeth's fascinator:



















A lovely group shot. I like the fountain -- a shower at the shower.

And finally, a gorgeous shot of new mother-to-be, Renu, and her baby bump, aglow in her beautiful dress, topped off by her fascinator par moi:







My shot of it, floating merrily away

I made one for her mother, too, but I only have my studio shot of that one:


Renu sent a lovely note with an enclosed photo perfectly posed to show off the person, and her attire. I told her she should give lessons on how to thank your milliner/dressmaker/insert artisan title here.








Ladies, I thank you all for your trust in me and for following through on your promises! I'm sure St. Catherine, patron saint of milliners, will look favorably towards you!








Tuesday 3 June 2014

Staying Alive

Hats are frivolous extras unless they're saving your life.

I love making beautiful, fluffy things to wear on your head. They gladden the heart and delight the eye. People who choose to wear them are a happy breed. They invite attention to themselves in a way that many would find uncomfortable. Not everyone is ready for Millinery.

Everyone, however, needs a hat. I am reminded of this frequently. The first customer of the season at St. Lawrence Market came to me because of doctor's orders, basically. She chose the widest-brim hat I had, to protect herself from the sun. I hope she will find pleasure in wearing it and not just consider it a grim duty.

I just sent home another customer who came to me for a similar reason. Her husband had recently had melanoma. All cured now, he needs to be vigilant about sun protection. His favourite hat had done him great service over the years, but was on it last legs. (A hat on legs. See what happens when you're careless with metaphors?) They weren't making them like that anymore. Could I copy it? And could I do it without taking the old one apart? And could I make it in time for a Father's Day surprise?


Yes, I could. And did. Another satisfied customer. Can't wait to hear how her husband likes it!

Making frippery and saving lives. All in a day's work for -- Millinerwoman!