Hiyaaaa 🙂 How you doing this sunny day? Is it sunny where you are? It sure as heck is here and I've not had any chance yet to go outside and enjoy any of it! Been working hard on the blog you see 🙂
I would like to introduce you to a new friend of mine today, Hermione Harbutt. Such a lovely name isn't it? Bristol based Hermione Harbutt designs and handcrafts beautiful couture wedding accessories for the discerning bride…
"I am hugely passionate about what I do and love creating gorgeous jewellery and headdresses that makes each and every one of my lovely brides feel ultra-glamorous and special. There is no better feeling in the world than receiving a thank-you letter and photo of one of my brides wearing her Hermione Harbutt accessories, looking radiant and happy on her wedding day – it is the fuel to my inspiration and hard work!
I aim to create designs with a difference that are luxurious and unique. Every piece is individually handcrafted from the finest materials of pearls, Swarovski crystals and gemstones: no faux pearls or plastic. I strive to create truly beautiful designs that will be treasured as heirlooms of the future. I work very closely with all of my brides and I provide a very personal service…"
Love My DressTM UK Wedding Blog – Imagery Supplied by Hermione Harbutt
I offer a bespoke design service where brides can choose the content and design of their accessories. For example if a bride loves a particular headdress but would prefer it to be made in just Swarovski crystals or with more pearls, or with different shaped tendrils or flowers, I am able to do this as it will be made from scratch especially for her.
I can create something completely unique to complement her dress and personality. It is nice to get to know each of my ladies as it makes creating their pieces really enjoyable…"
Harbutt's signature style is feminine and delicate, with a vintage feel…
"One of my brides once described her headdress as 'wearable art' – and I rather like that description
My Brides tend to be fashion forward ladies who are looking for something exquisite and different, personally tailored to suit their style and personality and who value and appreciate the difference between my handcrafted couture accessories and mass-produced factory products."
"I have always loved being creative and making things, ever since I was a child. I grew up in Kenya and Tanzania, and was fascinated by the traditional intricate bead designs. I had an enormous bead box full of beautiful beads and I would spend hours rifling through it and creating pretty pieces. My Mum recently found a necklace that I had made and given her when I was six, with perfect spacing and colour combination of the little beads.
I obviously had an eye for detail! My favourite medium is pearls so specialising in bridal was inevitable and is an environment and clientele that I absolutely love. I couldn't imagine a better job and feel incredibly lucky."
"I am always inspired by fashion and styles of yesteryear and my studio is packed with books on Chaumet, Tiffany pearls, Faberge and headdresses of the 1920's-1940's. You could lose me for hours in the jewellery and headdress departments of museums. I find natural forms inspiring, such as flowers, leaves and beautiful patterns. The flowers in my May Blossom headdress are inspired by Delphiniums – one of my favourite flowers, the petals are so papery and delicate.
I keep a keen eye on latest dress collections by high end designers as these can be very inspirational for new designs that will suit current dress trends. I adore pearls, their shape and lustre and I use them in abundance in most of my designs."
"One of my proudest moments as an accessories designer was when Suzanne Neville herself commissioned me to create her jewellery and headdress for her own wedding in December 2010, featured in Hello magazine. Suzanne loved all my designs and had so much confidence in my skills, she gave me complete control over the final design (no pressure!). I drove the designs to her wedding venue and personally fitted them for her. Suzanne adored them and it was a wonderful feeling!
Suzanne wore bespoke jewellery and the Neville Crystal Lace Headdress (now available on my website and named after her) and a beautiful black jewelled headdress 'Black Magic' to go with her fabulous second evening dress that was a beautiful deep silver lace dress."
"My designs range in price from £20 – £995 for the ultra-luxurious Deco Deluxe Empress Headdress.
All of my designs can be bought via my website www.hermioneharbutt.co.uk, or by appointment at my Clifton studio in Bristol to try on the entire range. I also stock exclusive boutiques around the country as well as being a proud stockist to some of the UK's most prestigious dress designers, including Suzanne Neville, Sassi Holford and Stephanie Allin. I adore their gorgeous dresses and designing beautiful accessories to be worn with them."
Watch out for a competition coming up very soon where Hermione will be giving away one of her beautiful designs, to the value of £330, JUST for you 🙂
In the meantime, take a moment to go and view the full collection from Hermione Harbutt in all it's sparkly glory.
Much love everyone,
Annabel xXx
♥
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
