Tuesday 25 June 2013

Beth Hirst - Queen of Hats

I love a hat. I distinctly remember my cousin Charlotte's wedding as I wore a navy hat with white spots on it. A few years later (ok, ok many years later) I wore what can only be described as a Satellite Dish to my mate Lucy's wedding:








..and then to Sam&Jon's wedding as well...












 That summer I also rocked a headband. Don't judge me.
So with my love of hats firmly established, lets talk about Beth Hirst. A Couture Hat designer based in Leeds, Beth started her business in 2009 working out of her back bedroom. When demand grew she moved to the garage and now owns her own office space - not to be sniffed at in today's economic climate.





Hats in Beth's workshop

The detail is stunning


WOW them as you are walking away!




Trained at the Leeds College of Art & Design, Beth specialises in event head wear including races and Mother of the Bride hats, and she has been known to do the hats for the whole wedding party. WOW. Talk about talented! Prices start from £50 and range up to £200. Simply turn up with your ideas and Beth can design a hat or fascinator which is unique and undeniably 'you'.









After years in the biz she was kind enough to pass on her Hat Top Tips:


1.  When first getting into headwear and hats try lots of on - more than 10. You may be surprised what you like.
2.  Make sure the piece you choose is comfortable to wear, the piece should feel light and fit correctly. That way, you shouldn't even realise you are wearing it.
3.  Think about the colour of the hat/headpiece which is closest to your skin: lighter tones flatter all skin types but dark tones can be draining, especially on more mature skin.
4.  Always consider the event the hat/headpiece is for. If you are in the wedding party your day will be spent kissing, cuddling and greeting all the guests. Saucers and headpieces which sit off the face or pillbox hats are a great option.
5.  Don't over accessorise. You don't need hat, sunglasses, chunky neckalce, drop earrings and strong make-up. Just 2 or 3 will create a more elegant finish.
6.  Hats and headpieces are great for your posture: you will immediately stand up straighter with your shoulders back the minute you put it on.
7. Smaller framed people do not necessarily need to wear small hats. Larger pieces can look great and add height but avoid bigger than the width of your shoulders.
8.  Not really one for wearing hats but feel you have to for a certain event? Go for something off the face, to one side with feathers which add height and movement. This is infinitely better than a few feathers on a comb.
9.  A proper fitting hat/headpiece made by a milliner will be securely fixed to your head and will stay in place all day.
10.  The standard High Street hat fits a 22.5 inch head size but ladies heads can be between 21.5 and 23 inches. A milliner can make the perfect fit for your head size.









For more info about Beth and to contact her about a magnificent hat creations then you can access her website by clicking here. But for now...drink in the images...

Love the DRAMA of this...


Couldn't help myself...
We all love a "selfie" ...

Beth Hirst Couture Hats 

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