Hats - Proud to be part of this great British tradition!

Following this weekends wonderful Diamond Jubilee celebrations, at which I must say the Queen looked amazing!  The UK seems to be embracing what it means to be British.  Hats of course are a great British tradition and go hand in hand with the British monarchy.  I thought there were some wonderful creations on display during the weekend and I simply loved the Duchess of Cambridge's vibrant red outfit!

"Jubilation"

With this in mind I am proud to be a part of this traditional British craft!  To work as a hatter is both challenging and rewarding.  It's been a busy month at Sara Gadd Millinery and hats have been flying off their blocks!  I love this time of year when there is many a Hatty occasion and weddings are of course in full swing.


With the Jubilee in mind, last month I took part in the Talent House Dillon Wallwork and Hatalk competition to design a hat inspired by the Diamond Jubilee. 

This was my creation "Jubilation" which was inspired by the UK flag.
Although the hat didn't win, I was thrilled to see "Jubilation" was well received and constantly remained in the top 15 throughout the voting period!  Thank you for your support and kind comments!

Swirling Rose Picture Hat

Bias Rose Saucer Headdress

Sara Gadd Millinery has been out and about and recently during a beautiful weekend, when the sun was shining gloriously, Sara travelled to Whitehaven, the pretty little port town on the west coast of Cumbria.  Here she teamed up with Anita Collow Photographer and Laura Wilkins MUA for an out door photo shoot.  Having met a couple of months earlier at a wedding fair in Carlisle, it was suggested the three meet for a collaborative shoot and here are a few of the results!

Fabulous 50 Quill Hat

Vintage Brooch Headdress

This weekend Sara will be visiting a local garden festival with the view to attending next year and over the coming weeks its busy with commissions, workshops and the forth coming Gloucester Hat Festival in Gloucester on 13th & 14th July...more info on this to follow! www.hatfestival.co.uk

So bye for now and for all things hatty contact Sara at info@saragadd.co.uk and visit our FaceBook Page! 

www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Gadd-Millinery/115061321540

Head wear: Sara Gadd Millinery www.saragadd.co.uk
MUA: Laura Wilkins www.laura-wilkins.co.uk
Photography: Anita Callows www.anitacallow.com
Models: Greta Kelly & Donna Fox

Style Tips - Choosing a Hat For Ladies Day

Style Tips - Choosing a Hat for Ladies Day

Summer is just around the corner and although the weather hasn’t been to good so far this year, seasonal events and occasion are none the less getting into full swing! With ladies day events throughout the season and Royal Ascot fast approaching, in this diamond Jubilee year, it’s the perfect excuse to make an extra special effort with your headwear!

To help you choose the perfect hat or headpiece that will finish your look with style, here are some helpful tips to and ideas to consider!

• When choosing your outfit remember to dress for a formal day time occasion and not an evening party.
• Full hats and larger headpieces are perfect for race meetings whilst fascinators too can look wonderful worn to a wedding.
• Try on as many different styles of hats as you can, this will help you find the right hat shape for you.
• A hat should compliment the wearer not over power the look, the right hat should accentuate your features making you feel confident and happy to stand out from the crowd!
• Detailed outfits work well with simple shapes and styles, try teaming a floral dress with a simple yet striking floral headdress. A plainer, less detailed outfit can take a more elaborate hat.
• For classic timeless style, team a smart suit with a sharp elegant hat.
• Add a twist to your look by choosing a contrasting coloured hat or choose a complimenting colour that draws upon details within the style as the trim.
• When wearing a hat, exaggerate the eyes wearing slightly more eye make up than usual.
• Remember you should wear your hat, your hat should not wear you! It’s all about balance and complimenting your overall look.
Hats provide the finishing touch to your outfit, wear yours with style!
And finally …. Ladies day is the perfect excuse to get dressed up in your finery and to enjoy with family and friends!

For further advice and choices of headwear for your summer event, race meeting or wedding visit www.saragadd.co.uk

Happy hat hunting!

Hats Spring back into action!

It's that time of year when Spring is just around the corner, the daffodils are glinting a gorgeous yellow in the first glimpses of this year's sun, trees are beginning to blossom and birds are chirping their happy songs!
There's a lot to look forward to this year too with the Queens Jubilee and the Olympics, coming up, Britain has a buzz in the air!  Not to mention a wealth of Ladies day race meetings ahead, summer parties and festivals!

Of course it's also the the time of year when we see a feast of wedding events with brides to be seeing out ideas and inspiration for their forthcoming weddings!
It's heading towards the key season for milliners and it's springing back into full action at Sara Gadd Millinery!
Sara will be exhibiting at her first wedding event this season, on Sunday 11th March at Carlisle's Hallmark Hotel.  Being the hotels first ever wedding fair, it's sure to be worth a visit!  It's free entry 11am - 4pm and Sara will be showing a selection from the current collection and as she designs head wear for the whole wedding party, there's something for everyone!  Please come and see Sara on the day!
Visit this link for further details: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/events/207321679364383/

Did you know Sara also offers workshops, talks and demonstrations.  A much admired hat during previous talks ahs been this extravegant ivory & orange creation, which features hand made silk flowers.  This hat is sure to turn heads in the right direction!  If you'd like something similar visit the website at www.saragadd.co.uk

This is just a snippet of what we are up to this year! 
To keep up to date with all our Hattie Happenings following this blog or like our Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/pages/Sara-Gadd-Millinery/115061321540

When celebrations call, don't you just feel the need for a hat!

Festive Accessories, Fascinators, Hats and Bridal Headwear

Festive Accessories, Fascinators, Hats and Bridal Headwear....occasion hats are not just for the brighter months and we've got some beautiful creations in the studio at the moment. 



Mixed Feather Fascinator - Photography Pink Tulip
Model Jeni Banks



I'm so excited about the launch of my sparkling new website, lovingly designed by Jordan at Symi Art.  Please do take the time to have a look http://www.saragadd.co.uk/ and pass on the details to anyone in need of something for their head!

It's been a busy year all round and the last few weeks I've been out and about at events such as Bridal Gathering in Newcastle, Nostalgia Meets Design in Penrith and local Christmas Fairs around Cumbria.  Spreading the Hattie Happenings is always fun and it's great to meet other creative people along the way!

Silk Neck Tie

There are some great accessories in stock at the moment including lovely little hanging heart/pin cushions, hand made in a combination of luscious interior fabrics.

Or beautiful silk, felt and leather neck ties, perfect for your festive outfit!





Leather & Felt Corsage/Fascinator



How about a leather and felt corsage/fascinator to brighten up a coat or cushion or to be pinned into your hair?



And don't forget fabulous felt hats for colder days and Winter Weddings!



Fleur Crystal Combs Set



If you fancy trying your hand at making a fascinator we are still running workshops during weekends/week days through our 2012, including Hat Tricks, Fabulous Fascinators and Creative Corsages. 

Or how about a workshop gift voucher for a unique gift idea?

For further details please contact Sara at info@saragadd.co.uk.

Happy Hatting!

Sara x

Hat Workshop Programme

Hello!  Well Summer is officially over but that doesn't mean the fun has to end! 
Day workshops are a great way to have a little time out to yourself and learn something new in the process!
At Sara Gadd Millinery we currently have a number of different workshops available and you don't have to be an expert sewer to take part, Sara will help every step of the way!
With lunch and materials included, come and join us at Sara Gadd Millinery, Forge Cottage, Corby Hill, Nr. Carlisle Cumbria for a great day out!

xxx

Workshops
“Fascinator Fun”
- Learn how to make a fabulous fascinator in your choice of colour and trimming.
£65 pp - Includes materials, coffee & lunch - 10am - 5pm
“Hat Tricks” With a few tips and techniques, this workshop gives you the opportunity to transform your old hats into fabulous new head wear. - Do you have old hats gathering dust at home?

“Creative Corsages” - A corsage can brighten up more or less anything it can be pinned into! During the day Sara will demonstrate a range of different techniques that will enable you to create your own hand made flower corsages. Great for Christmas presents, wow your friends with what you have created!
£55 pp - Includes materials, coffee & lunch - 10am - 5pm

Venue
Available from Forge Cottage for groups of five friends, (we will also accommodate smaller numbers where we can by grouping people together.)
Also available at a venue of your choice for larger groups, (prices and details will be changed to accommodate this.)
Available to book between Monday - Saturday.
Please call Sara on 07765975108 or email
Sara is also available for talks.

Additional Workshops
“Cocktail Hats”
- Highham Hall Friday 30^th Sept - Sunday 2^nd Oct 2011info@saragadd.co.uk for further details.Cocktail Hats are the perfect alternative to a full brimmed hat.
During this workshop, through demonstration and example, you will learn how to make your own cocktail hat using Sinamay, a type of woven straw.

Please contact Higham Hall for details: 01768776276

All information is copy right of Sara Gadd Millinery 2011
 　
　www.highamhall.com

Residential £190 (meals included)
Non-residential £128
(additional £20 material costs also due to the tutor

Hat & Fascinator Workshops

Hat Tricks at Higham Hall

Sara Gadd Millinery's debut workshop when down a treat last month at Higham Hall, the adult education centre in between Keswick and Cockermouth.  What a wonderful setting for a workshop, in scenic surrounding, everyone is well looked after and certainly won't go home hungry!
During the Hat Tricks Workshop, students brought along their own old hats and we cut and re shaped them into fabulous new creations. 

We were a small group, but that didn't detract from the atmosphere!  Much fun was had by all and students from other courses were soon flocking to see what 'the noisy group' were up to! 

It was a productive weekend with each student creating 1 - 3 hats each, so we had a mini collection of head wear to choose from when it came to posing for photos at the end of the day!

Here are some photos from the workshop, the next Higham workshop is Hats For All - Cocktail Hats, Friday 30th Sept - Sunday 2nd October.

Hat Tricks can also be booked here at the studio for groups of 5 people with lunch and tea and coffee included, at £65pp. 

Or you can take a Fascinator Fun Workshop with all materials , lunch and refreshments included for £65pp. 

This lovely group of ladies did just that below! 

A creative group, just look at what they produced on their Fascinator Fun Workshop yesterday!

You never know what you can achieve!



For details about our workshops email Sara at info@saragadd.co.uk

A Head For The Hat Season

It's a busy time of year for milliners, the wedding season's in full swing, garden parties are taking hold, race meetings galor and the one and only Royal Ascot just around the corner!

Here at Sara Gadd Millinery it's no exception and we are in a creative frenzie every day!

In addition to creating headwear, Sara has been spreading the 'hatty word' appearing as guest speaker for many local groups...it's been a busy season!  It's been great fun meeting lots of new faces, handing our hat advice, oh and sampling many a wonderful cake!

Last month Sara Gadd Millinery teamed up with Pink Tulip Photography in a wonderful vintage bridal boutique photoshoot.

Make up featured by Bridget Foster and our bequtiful models were Jeni Banks of Mayfifteen and Michelle Serrechia.

Here are a few images, they will also be featuring on the updated website soon!

Michelle Serrechia

Warwick Hall was our stunning venue for the shoot and we were so lucky with beautiful weather!

A collection of my family vintage pieces helped with styling the shoot which also included this wonderful vintage bike!

The shoots really created excellent results and I look forward to working with Pink Tulip again in the future.

There are several up coming events involving

Sara Gadd Millinery:

* Hat Tricks Workshop at Highem Hall, Cockermouth

24th - 26th June.

*1st July - 4th July Garden Festival at Warwick Hall.

There will be stalls and events through out the day, email for details info@saragadd.co.uk

*New coming soon...

'Hats in Action' testimonial web page.  Have you been a Sara Gadd Millinery lady? 

Like to feature?  Just email an image of you wearing your creation to Sara, we'd love to see you on there!

Top Hat Tip: 

Ladies don't leave you hat to the last minute, is the important finishing touch to your outfit so time, planning and carefull consideration is needed!  Why not visit us or email for details!

Nichola Wright Photography