Vintage Life Magazine Front Cover!

Where did she get that hat!

Tiffany-Grant Riley, official wedding planner to none other than Luella’s Boudoir contacted me recently in respect of an article she was writing based on planning a wedding with a 1920’s theme for Vintage Life Nostalgia Magazine.  My jaw dropped this morning when I discovered my skull cap cloche made it on the front cover!  Not to mention a lovely write up inside on my 1920’s hats and fascinator workshops, plus a full page pic of the hat again!  A big thanks to all involved, especially Tiffany and of course the photographer who took that picture at the Hobbs Best of Bristol Show, Ria Mishaal Cooke.

Now grab yourself a copy and get reading!

1920’s Themed Hen or Birthday Parties at ‘The Daffodil’

I’m now offering fascinator workshops at the Art Deco gem of a venue The Daffodil in Cheltenham for hen parties and birthday parti.  Click here for more details on my Clara Bows Millinery Website.  You’ll create a fascinator, have Afternoon tea or a three course meal at the venue on vintage Art Deco china courtesy of Vintage Tea Sets in this truly outstanding venue.  You could even make a whole day of it dress up 1920’s style,  and learn how to Charleston courtesy of Charleston Dance.

The Daffodil is an award winning conversion from a 1920’s Art Deco picture house into a unique and dramatic setting that retains many original Art Deco features and to top it off it has a stylish À la Carte restaurant!  With sweeping staircases and views to wow from mezzanine Circle Bar, The Daffodil is perfect for your party, as well as wedding ceremonies and receptions.  Check out this amazing wedding on ‘Steve Gerrards Photography Blog’ that took place at the Daffodil. Just stunning!  Those pictures really do this gorgeous venue justice!

Hobbs Best of Bristol Show 2010 photos from Ria Mishaal Cooke

On Saturday it was the Hobbs Best of Bristol Show 2010 in the Colston Hall, I was lucky enough to be given my own millinery section for Clara Bows where I fully styled the models from head to toe and here are some gorgeous pictures taken by Ria Mishaal Cooke Photography capturing my models doing the charleston across the stage, it was an incredibly proud moment and I’m ever so thankful Ria shared these images, you should take a look at her blog to see even more beautiful images capturing the whole day. Scroll further down to find out more about Ria.

Clara Bows Millinery

Ria Says ” I am a two-career girl: a photographer and a neuroscientist. I have a passion for creative expression and an enthusiasm for acquiring and communicating knowledge. I photographed my first wedding while studying for my PhD and was immediately hooked. To be a wedding photographer is a privileged and exciting role and I adore the individuality, beauty and emotion of every single wedding I experience.

I took my first photographs on my grandfather’s old Pentax. Over the years, several different cameras have seen me shoot and photo-edit for the student newspaper, hold several public exhibitions and achieve distinctions both for visual art and wedding photography.

I aspire to take images that are inspiring, aesthetically appealing and that capture moments of beauty and fun. I am chosen by couples for my journalistic style, my creative portraits and my personal attention to creating a special and individual service.”

Check out her website for more details!

Vicky Rowe Interview on BBC Radio Bristol

Lots to report from Vintage Tea Sets & Clara Bows HQ, expect lots of blogging action later in the month but for now I’m working on the fashion show and a deluge of orders.  But here’s a quick update, earlier in the week the lovely Faye Dicker of BBC Radio Bristol came over to see me for an interview, I put on a simple afternoon tea and showed her how to make a fascinator.  It was a lovely afternoon,listen again by clicking here (time on is 0:47.22).

Clara Bows Lackham Countryside Centre Fascinator Course 01st June 2010

Hi all, just a quick post to let you know that I’ll be hosting a fascinator course at the lovely Lackham Countryside Centre on the 01st June this year.  For details on how to book click here.

What can we expect from this experience -Enjoy a creative afternoon in the idyllic surroundings of the Lackham Countryside Centre. Learn how to create your own fascinator, perfect for a day out to the races or a wedding, in relaxed, friendly and enjoyable company.

Discover the thrill of creating a completely unique fascinator from scratch whilst learning some basic millinery techniques along the way.

Be a real “mad hatter” with afternoon tea served on vintage china.

This experience is suitable for beginners, however basic sewing skills are needed, all materials are provided .

Profile of delivery team

Vicky Rowe founded Clara Bows Millinery after a career change and a passion for 1920s and 30’s fashion.

Vicky was trained by a milliner of royal appointment. She has taken a path of discovery based on research from the 1920s and 30s and has now established her own style. Vicky is known for her elegant designs, which are decorated with vintage embellishments – lace, freshwater pearls, and ethically sourced feathers.

Additional benefits of this experience

It’s great for building confidence and is an opportunity to express self creativity. You’ll produce something unique which will be the envy of others.

A delicious afternoon tea, served on vintage china, is included.

The Hobbs Best of Bristol Show on June 19th 2010

Another interesting week here at Vintage Tea Sets & Clara Bows!  I thought I’d share my millinery escapades from Monday.  It was was one of the most exciting Mondays ever.  Mondays are commonly dreaded and rightfully so, but this was the type of Monday I want to replicate again and again.  At 8am I was buzzing around Park Row in Bristol in the Hobbs Hair salon getting one of my models ready for the press launch for the Hobbs Best of Bristol Show . Radio and TV crews were all buzzing around and Doug from Hobbs the organiser was working the room like a model himself lol! Well amidst the sea of models, make up artists, hair stylists, designers and a few celebs like Beth Rowley, I was feeling the pressure having to get my size 6 model in a size 14 dress (thanks to Gilly Woo who sewed her in for me) with only minutes to spare but here she is posing for the forthcoming brochure.

Tickets are on sale now for this really exciting event packed with dancers and performers, its a real show, taking place on the 19th June 2010 at the Colston Hall in Bristol, to book your tickets click here. all profits go to Meningitis UK, a very worthy cause. So where do I fit in you’re wondering?  Well my hats will be showcased in front of 1800 people in a 1920’s section I’ll be styling, even picking the tunes they strut too….no pressure at all then!

Anyway, back to the hat,  here’s a bit of a reportage shot from my kanckered old camera of the lovely Claire Beard aka Clara B (fortuitous name!).  I’m bringing back some very vintage styles, all can be replicated in a vast array of colours…..I’ve wanted a skull cap cloche for years and finally….here’s one I made earlier.  Enjoy x

A taster of what to expect at the show!

Mad Hatter themed fascinator workshop at Bake-a-Boo photographed by Rosie Parsons

Last Sunday Rosie Parsons (photographer extraordinaire) and I embarked on a road trip to the big smoke from our comfy west country burrows, one that would merge her Birthday celebrations with a fascinator workshop I was hosting at the stunning little teashop run by Zoe called Bake-a-Boo (I’d been itching to meet this vixen after a mutual appreciation of vintage china and cake).

Meet the beautiful Zoe, making us a steaming hot vintage teapot of darjeeling on our arrival.

‘The Clara Bows head’ complete with an example fascinator I made the day before for some inspiration was placed on the beautifully laid table that the workshop ladies would be seated, and I set about laying out all the materials before they arrived.

Then the workshop commenced.

We paused for an Alice in Wonderland afternoon tea…..

Before resuming work again and completing these lovely creations.  Here’s a picture of the hen party that took part modelling their pieces.

A lovely time was had by all.  If you’d like to take part in one of these workshops or would like one arranged, see my millinary website Clara Bows for more details or email me (Vicky) at info@clarabows.co.uk

Clara Bows Fascinator Workshop photographed by Rosie Parsons

The gorgeous Rosie Parsons popped up to see me earlier in the week with her camera! after a lovely catch up at Bocca Bar she came with me to a ‘Mad Hatter’ themed fascinator workshop I was hosting at Caffe Clifton and took some snaps to go in my beautiful millinery website Clara Bows that both she and her husband Lee created for me.

It was a really lovely relaxed evening and the ladies that attended made some really beautiful things, two even vowed to wear their creations into work the next day!  I so hope they did.  Anyway, as they say, a picture can tell a thousand words and as usual Rosie has done me so incredibly proud, I cherish these images and can’t wait for our ‘road trip’ in just over a weeks time!

Introducing my 1920’s Millinery Website – Clara Bows

Its official launch isn’t until June this year but here’s a taster, I need to photograph all my hats and fascinators which is easier said that done at the minute (a good chunk are with a magazine which is another story!) so for now there’s some old pics on there .  Excuses excuses! check out my very flapperesque website Clara Bows Millinery (make sure you click on the gramophone!) created by the wonderful Rosie & Lee.  They’ve done an amazing job, thanks guys x

This website will be selling hats I make, giving details on how to order a bespoke hat from me and of course, details on my fascinator workshops (with lots of pictures showing them in progress).  I’ve been selling hats now for well over a year, no promotion at all but still getting at least a couple of orders a month usually people who stumble on me via the web or who stop me in the street.  I’ve been given my own millinery section in the Bristol Fashion Show later in the year.  I’m excited, nervous and honoured all at once about that, I’m busily making my six key pieces……six pieces that I’ve wanted to make for years heavily influenced by the 1920’s, its a creative indulgence and I’ve had to up my skills to create these pieces where the practices needed to make them have almost died out.  And two of these pieces wouldn’t be possible If it wasn’t for a lady with over 50 years in the business making hats for Royalty  passing on her skills as I couldn’t find anyone else up to the job.  All the feedback I’ve had from customers has been incredible but whilst I was growing Vintage Tea Sets I kept this in the background, and lets face it I’m very very busy with the china hire business!  But with the support of my lovely Mum – together we make an amazing team – she blocks the hats for me, makes those lovely vinyl cakes stands that just keep flying off the shelves and helping get big orders together.