By Valerie Wyvill
Creative Director & Owner of Valerie Millinery Collections
Hats and Headpieces can take anywhere from a few hours, to weeks, depending on how intricate or difficult the design is.
A hat or fascinator that requires blocking ( material placed over a wooden mould) can take longer as the fabric needs time to dry and then has to be wired and hand stitched together. Fabrics may also need to be hand dyed to get the desired colour or ordered, whilst trims can range from a simple bow to hand tooled silk flowers.
A simple hat or fascinator can be made within a week, however it is best to book a milliner to make a bespoke piece well in advance for that special occasion, be it Mother of the Bride or Groom, Wedding Guest, Investitures, Racing Events, Garden Parties, Baptisms or any other formal occasions. It is well advised to make contact 6-8 weeks minimum before your special occasion, to start discussions about designs and ideas. During the busy times, like racing season and summer you may want to give your milliner more time to ensure you get your appointment.
If you choose to have a custom colour of a ready to wear design then I suggest allowing 3-4 weeks to hand-make.
Don't forget to allow time for postage also if you are availing of this option. Certain times of the year are busier than normal with courier services.
Rule of thumb by me is, if you have your outfit and are confident you wont change your mind then why wait! Give yourself plenty of time to take advice, think things through and most of all, enjoy the process and experience. That's what it is all about! Starting the process early allows time for you to be creative with your milliner and have any necessary fittings and adjustments made if needs be.
Located in Knaresborough, Valerie offers a wide range of millinery services to help you find your perfect headwear. Valerie offers a Bespoke Millinery Service, Hat Hire Collection and Online Hire & Style Consultations.
Online services are available to those who cannot attend the studio. Don’t compromise on style: you can have the full elegance and luxury of our millinery range brought to you online. Valerie is here to help.
Book your appointment with Valerie now.
Enjoy a complimentary styling & advice session with Valerie & she will ensure you feel your very best, comfortable & confident on that day.
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