The Most Outrageous Ascot Hats
 

With Ascot fast approaching let’s take a look at some of the most outrageous Ascot hats. Each year there are certain types of hats we expect to see but these ladies may have taken things a little too far. What do you think?

The patriots:-

These ladies like to celebrate being British with designs inspired by the union jack, London land marks and traditional English pastimes like cream tea!

The foodies:-

There is always a large amount of food and drink based hats. I think the above ladies may have gone a little overboard all their hats do is make me hungry! And lets not forget with food you need drink pims o’clock anyone!

This definetly gives a new meaning to the cocktail hat!

The horse lovers:-

Ascot of course is initially a horse racing event so these ladies like to remind us with horse and racing inspired hats.

Bird lovers:-

Hats are often decorated with feathers, but these ladies like to go the whole leg and have an entire bird on their heads.

Bigger is best:-

Some try to aim to have the biggest hats there. Personally I think I’d end up with a headache but then there’s always pain where fashions concerned. At least the umbrella lady is trying to be practical!

The Art Lovers:-

These ladies let art inspire their hats instead of practicality. The middle image shows model Carla Creegan wearing a hat inspired by the artwork of Louise Dear.

There are no words for these next few hats! :-

Anyone need an ashtray?

Most people believe the over the top hat fashions of Ascot are a modern madness, but check out these images from the 60’s and 70’s.

The above ladies were the trend setters of Ascot in their day and were clearly ahead of their time.

So what can we expect this year? Who knows but I’m sure 2016 Ladies day will be outrageously Spectacular!

December Commissions

After N.Joy.Millinery’s successes at Made in Cornwall. December became a busy month for N.Joy.

Often N.Joy.Millinery gets commissions from people who have found the perfect outfits and have thought finding a hat or fascinator to match would be the easy part. You can pick up a relatively cheap hat or fascinator in most large department stores. In the generic shades of white navy and black and perhaps a handful of this seasons colours. But to find a true match nothing beats having a piece hand made for you.

Of course having a handmade piece costs money and takes time. But here at N.Joy.Millinery. We strive to work within most budgets and within your time frame. N.Joy usually likes a month to make a head piece this guaranties material deliveries and gives N.Joy the time needed to make your headpiece as stunning as you imagined it. However over the December month N.Joy was put to the test with three commissions two of which she had three weeks for, the other just over a week! It was a challenge to say the least but N.joy loves a challenge.

(Above: Previous Commissions)

The first piece was for a bride having a small ceremony in a stunning white and silver Saks dress suit. She wanted a sophisticated piece that tied in with her outfit and was similar to a piece of N.Joy’s she had already seen.

The piece N.Joy created for her was made on a white, oval, sinamay base with large silk silver roses covered in one hundred Swarovski crystals that sparkled from every angle. Nestled between the two largest roses was a curled ostrich spine and diamond stripped feathers. The base sat at an angle on a  handmade headband made of lightweight wire that is flexible to different head shapes and easy to wear.  Simply sophisticated like the bride to be herself.

The second piece was for a fashionable mother of the bride, who had a glitzy vintage inspired outfit that needed the perfect fascinator to tie it all together.

N.Joy made a chocolate brown, sinamay, teardrop base. Under laid with shimmering gold sinamay that brought a subtle sparkle to the base. The top of the base had hand sculpted sinamay loops made into a bow with stripped pheasant neck feathers. Draped across the bow was stunning vintage lace with delicate hand beading using fine glass beads and delicate seed pearls. Over the top was a layer of light brown veiling that added to that vintage quality. The fascinator was then attached on a handmade headband dyed to the shade of the ladies hair colour.

The third piece was for a step mother of the bride who had a stunning emerald green lace dress that no hat or fascinator seemed to match.

The colour was a rich highly saturated royal green that even N.Joy struggled to match. N.joy ordered  the closes shade of green sinamay she could find and then hand died it until she was satisfied it was the right colour.  She then turned this into a teardrop base with a layer of gold sinamay underneath giving the shimmer effect like the last piece.  Using sinamay loops in gold and green she sculpted a tiered bow effect  at the top end of the fascinator centred with a stunning vintage broach. The vintage broach was antique gold coloured with delicate filigree and tiny gemstones in white and green. The fascinator was finished off with stripped and curled feathers in white and antique gold and sparkling metallic gold veiling. The fascinator was then attached on a handmade headband dyed to the shade of the ladies hair colour. A very festive piece for a Christmas wedding.

                Each commission was as individual as each of the ladies. The final pieces tied in both the ladies out fits and accessories perfectly .For your own commission please contact N.Joy.Millinery.

(Below: Previous Commissions)

N.Joy.Millinery’s Studio.

One question N.Joy frequently gets asked is where do you work from? Well here are the answers!

N.Joy.Millinery was first born in N.Joy’s little bedroom in her parents’ old fashioned farm house, but as her business grew, she out grew her room and  she slowly started taking over ever room in the house. So her stressed out family agreed for her to build her studio. The studio is still undergoing a lot of work including a new ceiling and new plasterwork on the walls but here is a sneaky insight to the N.Joy.Millinery  studio. Welcome to the world of feathers, fascinators and all things that sparkle!

Hats off to the ladies of Ascot!

The once strict regulations of the ascot ladies day seems to have relaxed a little this year giving way to some outlandish fashion! Some funky fascinators some happening hats and some err interesting works of art!

Some ladies thought it was all about size! with large ornate headdresses with brightly dyed ostrich and pheasant feathers. (not sure how much of the races the lady on the left actually saw!) Others opted for quirky little numbers.

Some ladies attracted attention for all the wrong reason though hats off to the milliners who made those concoctions stay upright!

For me these ladies wore the best hats by far!  Pure class! Large hats in pastle colours work because their striking without being an eyesaw.  Red suits everyone teamed with white and black equals pure elegence.

And it wasn’t just the men who went all out for Ascot this year, I’m loving the peacock top hat it takes a real man to wear that many sequins!

And who better to finish with then her majesty who looked beautifully demur in her colour coded pieces.

Collaboration with Russell Robin Hair Studio.

       At a recent charity event Natalie-Joy (N.Joy) met the lovely owners of the Russell Robin hair studio.  Wearing one of her own creations N.Joy and Robin (one of the dynamic brothers who own and run the studio) got into a conversation about fashion hats and hair. N.Joy was invited to a collaboration shoot mixing Robin Neal’s creative hair colouring and styling with N.Joy’s distinctive headwear.

                N.Joy was thrilled to work with someone who had worked with celebrities like Amy Winehouse, Rodger Moore and Depeche Mode. As well as working with well know singers and actors. Both brothers have travelled widely with their work and exhibited their artistic hairstyling at such events like Malan fashion week and the Brit awards. To a budding young business women like N.Joy this was an opportunity not to be missed. The brothers originally from Essex trained and worked in Regents Street London but moved to the beautiful location of Cornwall to bring up their families though this has not but a dampener on their career.

       N.Joy has been lucky enough to do a lot of amateur modelling in her youth so she was delighted to not only have her hats used in this shoot but to be the model as well.

                A few days before the Shoot Robin took N.Joy’s dark auburn somewhat straggly locks with its grown out fringe  and split ends and transformed her to a radiant redhead with dramatic blunt fringe.

      On the day of the shoot, Robin put N.Joy’s hair up in a high French pleat styled updo and put her in front of the camera with a collection of hats and outfits the quirky shoot had a distinctly 60’s feel to it, directed and shot by Robin (who is also a talented photographer). The shoot was a brilliant success. The full shots have not been released yet but here’s a sneak preview. Keep watching for the final shots and Advertising campaign .

The wedding display at The Alverton

After the success of The Great Gatsby display, at the Alverton, N.Joy’s latest display is on the theme of weddings. The Alverton with its impressive great hall, friendly staff, beautiful views and delicious food plays host to many a wedding and is one of the top wedding venues in Cornwall. So it seemed apt to play tribute to this in N.Joy’s latest display.

 In today’s modern world a milliners biggest income is from weddings. N.Joy.Millinery makes lots of fascinators for wedding guest large stylish hats for mother of the brides and intricate bridal headwear in all colours shapes and styles. The Alverton display shows off a small range of N.Joy’s fascinator range.

The first shelf shows some ideas for the bride. A quirky black and pink top hat, for that steam punk bride. An ivory, delicate 1940’s style birdcage veil and a mash of contempary and vintage in a white veiled headpiece with dusky pink hues. Alongside stunning photography of the Alverton hotel and previous Alverton weddings.

The second shelf shows a range of fascinators in all shapes and sizes. A pink and black lace fascinator with bow detail.  A sinamay rose and loop fascinator with stripped feathers in The Alverton colours of gold and black. A simple yet elegant navy blue fascinator with stripped mallard feathers and a cluster of beads. A twee ivory and black polka dot fascinator with flower detail. And something a bit special, a black and pink swirl design embellished with silk rose ostrich feather and dustings of Swarovski crystals. All surrounding the latest advert for The Alverton’s February  wedding fair.

‘Brimming with a whole host of suppliers from amazing photography suppliers to delicious wedding cakes, Breath taking wedding dresses and so much more!

All set in the beautifully unique Alverton hotel and private gardens.’

The third shelf shows a range of pastel coloured fascinators. A grey/pink velvet fascinator with flower detail, A pale blue fascinator embellished with silver lace and hand beaded with glass beads and diamante.  A pink and white lace fascinator with pearl detail. And a fancy lilac and white swirl piece with flower and ostrich feather detail. All accompanied by leaflets of the different services The Alverton weddings offer.

The fourth and final shelf shows a stunning range of show stealing fascinators. An Ivory fascinator with Navy blue silk flower dusted in tiny diamante. A red and black lace fascinator with large satin bow detail and a diamante buckle. My most recent piece a vivid red fascinator with velvet orchids sinamay loops and netting sparkling with Swarovski crystals. A rich chocolate velvet piece with vintage pink brown and cream flower and tonal netting. And finally a dusky pink and silver fascinator with a spray of grey feathers and crystal detail.

The Alverton’s Great Gatsby New Years Eve Party 2014

On the last day of the year the Alverton held the most Glamorous New Years Eve party in Cornwall. The Greats Gatsby party was full of 1920’s flare with candelabras dripping with pearls, Gold bottles boasting sparkling ostrich feathers and every table glistening with scatter gems the stage was set for a night to remember.

The men were dressed in spats trilbies and braces and the women wore dresses layered in fringing  strings of beads and fabulous headwear. Some pieces were designed and made by N.Joy.Millinery herself. Her customers looked stunning in N.Joy’s one off headwear. Below are a few designs that were sold for the event.

                With Diamante Swarovski crystals and pearls N.Joy.Millinery’s customers danced the night away.

 N.Joy’s Gatsby pieces start at £45 all intricately hand embroidered these pieces are one off costume designs that use beautiful materials and designs inspired by the 1920’s that will make you the envy of any art deco party . N.Joy.Millinery has a large range of stock but she also custom makes pieces to suit your outfit.

One of the talking points of the Alverton’s party was the mouth watering buffet with a suckling pig, whole salmon cheese platter and chocolate fountain all displayed on framed mirrors surrounded byendless glasses of prosecco the party was an extravaganza that Gatsby himself would have been proud of.

I wonder what the Alverton will think of next year.

 

                The Alverton is  a beautiful historical building , Once a nunnery, it is now turned into a chic hotel. That blends old world decor with a contemporary twist.  As well as having a range of stunning bedrooms, a fabulous  restaurant and a cosmopolitan bar. The Alverton boasts the exquisite  Great Hall. This was the grand chapel in its time, it still has its original stain glass windows and arched ceiling. It now plays host  to a range of parties and a huge variety of weddings throughout the year. But for one evening only it is being transformed back in time to the roaring 20s in a Great Gatsby inspired new years eve party.

                With each guest dressed to impress in the flapper style N.Joy.Millinery was asked to do a display based around the theme of the Great Gatsby. As most of you knew Natalie-Joys Degree was in Costume Design, which is why many of N.Joy.Millinery’s pieces have a vintage feel to them. So Natalie was keen to take this opportunity  to showcase some of her more art deco pieces. She is also bringing out a range of headpieces just for the event available to buy or hire for the occasion.

                So with tickets booking fast the evening is set to be an extravaganza of the 1920’s Fashion and glamour. So come and join us for sidecars and martinis and a bit of Charleston dancing perhaps. With champagne and a banquet feast  the evening is set to be as beautiful as one of N.Joy.Millinery’s headwear headpieces.

                 Guests to the Alverton Gatsby evening will receive 10% off Natalie-Joys Gatsby headwear! so what are you waiting for. Pick from one of N.Joy.Millinery’s pre made  stock pieces or let Natalie-Joy custom make you a piece to match you outfit. A one off individual piece that will make you the belle of the ball!

For more information on The Alverton visit- http://thealverton.co.uk/

‘Diamonds are Forever‘  The Marie Curie ball featuring N.Joy.Millinery.

Natalie-Joy was delighted to exhibit some of her work with the beautiful dresses of cargo in a fashion show  at the ‘Diamonds are Forever’  Marie Curie ball. The ball was in aid of the tremendous work  the Marie Curie nurses do, raising funds  to help them in their admirable charity work they do.
The evening started with a lovely three course meal and speeches  from the supporters  and workers of Marie Curie. After this money was raised  in auctions, raffles and a fun casino. There were fabulous prizes including  long weekends away , an acoustic guitar and beautiful jewellery. Even a gift voucher from N.Joy.Millinery. 

                The highlight of the evening was a dazzling display of dresses from Cargo topped with creative headwear from N.Joy.Millinery. Models of all shapes and sizes showed how fascinators can be worn for any occasions and look particularly stunning with such glamorous dresses. They looked like real bond girls.

Several of the ball goers also wore N.Joy.Millinery headwear. The event was a wonderful display of the work of N.Joy.Millinery, and a fantastic fundraisers for a worthy charity.

Truro Trend: Couture in the Cathedral

      Truro trend is a weeklong event that happens yearly in Truro Cornwall local business but on special offers and event to highlight what they offer. The Highlight of the week features couture  in the cathedral.
 

         Set in the beautiful Victorian Cathedral that is Truro’s center piece a huge catwalk is erected through the center aisle and stand surround the perimeter showing the local talent at its finest.

Everyone from makeup artist to hairdressers from shows and clothes to hats and accessories. Anyone whose anyone turned up to see local models of all shapes and sizes draped in this seasons must haves from comfy casuals to sophisticated formal wear.

                The Number eight hair salon outdid themselves creating elaborate hairstyles from edgy up dos to vintage curls. The Body Shop made everyone sparkle with their latest pallets and the shops and boutiques showed off a selection of their autumnal essentials.

        Naturally N.Joy.Millinery made an alluring appearance displaying some of Natalie-Joys stunning hats, fascinators and hair pieces for all to see.

    Natalie-Joy even took to the catwalk wearing clothes from C.C and shoes from Ryker, and even a sparkly head dress of her own creation. A wonderful evening was had by all everyone ‘N.Joyed’ seeing the talents Truro has to offer, not bad for a little city in Cornwall or a local farmer girl turned milliner.