I’ll be honest, I’m a relatively recent convert to the joy of hats. I’ve always been convinced that my small head and super short hair leaves me unable to don a headpiece without looking bizarre.
However, over the last few years, and with a little expert guidance, I’m now all about hats and, there’s no occasion that demands a statement hat quite like a wedding. With that in mind, I’m super happy to introduce you to Holly Young Millinery, designer and maker of suitably special hats and headpieces that are just perfect for weddings.
Holly Young Millinery is based on the gorgeous Roseland Peninsular in rural Cornwall. Holly’s studio is pretty much everything you imagine it would be – less than a mile from the beach in an area of outstanding natural beauty. With all manner of inspiration surrounding her, Holly hand makes headwear for brides to treasure and her pieces can also make wedding guests and mothers of the bride and groom feel like a million dollars.
“From the age of 15, I knew I wanted to have my own creative business,” says Holly. “I either wanted to be a sculptor or fashion designer. During my degree in costumer design for the performing arts at the London College of Fashion, I discovered millinery whilst interning at the English National Opera.”
Images by Enchanted Brides Photography
(Unless otherwise stated)
Holly describes this as ‘love at first stitch’ and says that from that moment on, she knew she wanted to be a milliner for the rest of her life. From here, Holly’s worked for superstar milliners such as Justin Smith, Philip Treacy and Jane Taylor. She was also a dresser with the English National Ballet for many years and you’ll see plenty of balletic inspiration in her collection.
However, it was in 2010, with a Prince’s Trust loan financing her vision, Holly launched her own millinery label and hasn’t looked back since.
I absolutely love Holly’s work. The designs are simply yet playful and you’ll spot those pieces that are modern re-workings of the best fashions from the past. Her elegant, timeless style, the colours and all those feathers and flowers create truly glorious hats and bridal headpieces.
“My designs help the wearer feel utterly themselves and they bring out the joyful pleasure of dressing up. It’s all about that magic moment when you see everyone all dressed up that you realise what’s about to happen is so special.”
As you might imagine, given her surroundings, nature plays a big part in influencing Holly’s work. The shapes and colours of the natural world and the movement of organic forms all work themselves into her designs. You can also see quite clearly how Holly’s knowledge of fashion history plays a part too. She flits between eras, from the 1920s to the 1960s and I love those Art Deco twists.
“I’m also influenced by the women I meet, especially during the bespoke process. I hear all about the reasons why they want something individual and the practical qualities that the piece must have, whether it’s required to be versatile for ‘day to evening’, whether it needs to work with hair up or down or even if they need to be able to travel with their hat in tow. I think about all these practicalities when designing collections and aim to offer something for everyone.”
As much as I love Holly’s designs (and I love them a whole lot), what really makes me happy is just how much Holly cares about the process of designing and hand making headpieces and hats that are all about making people feel happy and the best version of themselves.
“Because I really think about my designs and because they are individually handmade with care, I can easily make variations to suit the individual. I also specialise in bespoke commissions because wearing something on your head says so much about you, your mood and your style.”
“My creations can be handed down and enjoyed again and again because they will always stand the test of time.”
Holly’s bridal headdresses and crowns range in price from £150 to £295, small fascinators and cocktail hats start from £38 with headpieces and hats ranging in price from £190 upwards. Holly also makes feather buttonholes for grooms and groomsmen and these are priced from £35.
To find out more about hats and headpieces from Holly Young Millinery, do visit her website. If you’d like to discuss a bespoke commission or your order, do contact Holly via [email protected].
Love,
Tamryn x
Tamryn Settle View all Tamryn's articles
Self-confessed wedding addict Tamryn spends her days in her Berkshire studio writing about all things beautiful and romantic with her black Labrador for company.
