Beaded Hats. Is there anything more beautiful? From the delicate & subtle, to the intricate and over the top…beaded hats have a special place in millinery. Especially in the 20/30s and the 50s.
From these “simple” and elegant pieces
to the amazingly detailed and precise designs of these cloches
Beading, sequin work, embellishment and embroidery, certainly not at this level were taught at TAFE. I am pretty sure even final year wouldn’t have helped me learn this amazing creative medium.
This amazing 40’s piece is a unique take on the trend of taxidermied birds on hats…the detail! The work that went into this is mindblowing.
I love the two years I spent studying millinery. I am really looking forward to going back and finishing my final year. But with my shoulders still not on the mend I had to turn my attentions elsewhere this year. I am still focusing on millinery skills, but instead of making hats I have learnt to work more with wirework, I am learning colour theory and mixing (so I can get more accurate results when custom dying), I am hoping very much to get a set of flower making tools and take some classes on that too. But while in Paris I was given an amazing opportunity…and it was everything I didn’t know I desperately wanted to know.
This is a “simple” sewn 20’s cloche covered in the most exquisite beading
Maison Lesage is a house of haute couture embellishment, beading and embroidery. Maison Lesage opened their atelier in 1858 and was a family run business. Some of the work they do now if the haute couture embellishments, beading and embroidery for some of the best couture houses – like Dior and Chanel. Maison Lesage is also now apart of the Chanel group. Their archives hold the worlds largest collection of embroidery art. 
As well as Maison (House of) Lesage, they also have Ecole Lesage. Ecole (meaning school) Lesage is THE school of haute couture embellishment. I found out about the school while I was in Paris, I was interviewed and accepted into the 8 Level Haute Couture course. Which as you can imagine, was ridiculously exciting. The only problem was I would need to find the money to not only get back to France, but also the tuition fees. 
With the help of this course…maybe one day I will be able to make pieces as stunning as this beaded topper
We have worked out the finances and I can *just* afford to go back to Paris in November the only part I am having trouble with is finding the money to pay for the tuition. I would only be able to do one or two levels at a time and each costs 1350Euros. When a friend suggested I try crowd sourcing I mostly fobbed it off. I am great at hustling for money when I do Liptember each year…but that’s raising funds for an important cause. But in the end I decided to ask for help. 
So…can you help me? I do have some “rewards” for donors and you would have my undying love. I need all the support I can get. $2000 (approximately 1350 euros at the current AUD-EUR exchange rate) is my initial goal which should pay for my first level. If possible I would love to raise $4000 in order to do two levels. I am just $65 off being 20% funded. I need at least 40% to even be able to confirm my spot for November. If you want to help please consider donating…every single dollar counts. Even $5 would be a huge help. If you can’t donate please, please consider sharing this around. I need a signal boost. So click on the picture or the link HERE to be taken to my GoFundMe page.
My long term goal is to work in period costume design (millinery) or curate/restore/archive/keep safe a fashion collection – whether it be for the National Trust or somewhere dreamy like the MET. To do this I am going to need more skills than are on offer at TAFE. I am going to have to study lots of different things that relate to millinery. And this is where I am starting.
So today I am sharing my love of exquisite beaded & sequined hats. I hope you love them as much as I do and I hope you can support me on this exciting and nerve wracking journey!
Miss Fairchild xoxo
I have to say I am seriously in love with this lipstick. I knew I had to have it because I am obsessed with Dita and everything she does is amazing…but I wasn’t sure I would like it. I am not a fan of MACs other matte lipsticks. They are super dry and hard to apply. I know that a lot of vintage girls love MACs “Ruby Woo” but I almost broke the lipstick trying to drag it along my lips. I gave it up and had taken to Revlon’s “Really Red” matte lipstick instead and then when I finished that I tried The Lipstick Queen’s “Red Sinner” which is also great. The Revlon & Lipstick Queen had a matte finish, with a creamy application. And sure enough the new MAC “Von Teese” lipstick is just like that. Goes on smooth and creamy, didn’t dry out my lips, only needed one touch up (after I devoured some lord of the fries on the train home) and had a very nice matte finish. I also love the colour.
Miss Fairchild's Charm School 