Madeleine Bride

About Madeleine Bride

Madeleine Bride is a luxury bridal accessories company that fulfills the desire for beautifully hand crafted millinery design. Seaming subtle originality and luxurious detail and embellishment with cutting edge sophistication the label specialises in contemporary designs with a vintage bohemian edge.

The Madeleine Bride 2012 collection 'The Summer of Love...' encapsulates romance, elegance and the glamour of bygone eras. Taking inspiration from the sparkling 1920s to the hazy bohemian days of the 1970s, the collection includes a range of feminine silhouettes from jewelled 1960s crowns to alice bands decorated with vintage lace and handcut butterflies.

Each piece is hand crafted in a studio on the edge of the New Forest using the finest materials; silks, organzas, tulles, vintage lace, freshwater pearls & Swarovski crystals and can be made to match any colour. Headpieces to match bridesmaids' dresses are also available. Madeleine Bride also offer a bespoke design service for brides who would like something completely unique to them. 

Madeleine Bride strives to be an ethical design company and source all materials from companies based in the UK or Europe.

About Madeleine

Madeleine Bride was established by textile and millinery designer Madeleine O'Mahony. Every piece is designed and hand crafted in her studio in Hampshire using the finest materials. Having developed a love for sewing and designing from a young age, Madeleine studied fashion and textile design at Winchester School of Art. She then worked in London designing womens wear fashion prints and hand stitched Indian embroideries before working as a Senior Designer for Vivien Sheriff Millinery for four years.  

Madeleine's designs have been featured in several bridal publications including Conde Nast Brides, You and Your Wedding and Wedding magazine and her millinery designs have been worn by both Kate and Pippa Middleton.

You & Madeleine

Creativity is at the heart of the Madeleine Bride philosophy. We understand that many modern brides would prefer a more relaxed alternative style to their wedding – a world away from the cookie cutter princess weddings. 

“As a designer every occasion demands my personal attention – I am not just a faceless name; I'm involved in every stage from the initial consultation, through creation to the finished veil or headpiece.” 

- Madeleine

Inspiration

'My personal inspiration is eclectic and comes from a diverse collection of experiences and interests ; a love for travel has inspired a passion for Mexican folk art and Moroccan Art Deco. Other inspirations include driving down long hazy roads in the Arizonan desert, fresh winter walks past art deco architecture in Miami, beautiful African textiles, a love for art, particularly Bauhaus and Modernism or just a brisk morning walk in the Dorset countryside.

My style incorporates several years of designing fashion prints and embroideries, a love of fashion and world textiles combined with a desire to create beautifully hand crafted bridal designs.'

www.madeleinebride.com

Rachel Drewer Millinery

                   Rachel Drewer Millinery

Ethereal.
Image - Angela Ward Brown

Couture hats and headpieces for brides, mothers of brides, and wedding guests

"To Rachel, hats are more than just accessories – they are a means to inspire self-expression, confidence and fun"

Hampshire Society

 It was while sitting at my desk in a high rise office in London that I decided to do something different with my life.  It took me a while to work it out, but it was one morning after attending a dear friend’s wedding that it hit me: I wanted to be a milliner.  I craved the opportunity to express my creativity, and to work with real people instead of companies and suits.  And so my story began.   

Taking the plunge, and leaving behind my corporate job and salary, I trained with some of London’s finest milliners.  I worked in a boutique that counts Kate and Pippa Middleton among its clients, and studied under a former milliner to Chanel.

I now design and handmake hats under my own label, Rachel Drewer Millinery, offering a highly professional and personalised service to brides, mothers of brides, and wedding guests.  I can create a bespoke piece designed just for you to perfectly complement your special outfit, and I also offer pieces ready-to-wear for last minute ladies.  I can dye colours to match, and offer expert advice on what is appropriate for your occasion.

Allure
Image - Ina Haslor

 I love working closely with my clients, and getting to know them so I can create the best possible hat.  One recent client loved her hat so much she gave me a great big hug when I showed her the finished piece!  This is why I do what I do.

Based in rural North Hampshire, I offer flexible appointments to suit you at my studio, and can also visit you at home or elsewhere.  You should allow a minimum of 4 weeks for your bespoke piece to be created as all work is hand made to order.

Cadenza
Image - Angela Ward Brown

 New for 2012, I have teamed up with professional make-up artist Victoria Brown to offer hen parties with a difference!  Victoria trained at the Jemma Kidd Make-up Academy in London, and now runs her own make-up masterclass business Beauty Attitudes.  For a morning or afternoon, Victoria and I will entertain your hens at your venue by teaching them fun new techniques, and you will come away with professional make-up know how and your own bespoke headpiece made by you – perfect for your friend’s wedding!

I’m so looking forward to sharing my work with you at The Dorset Vintage Wedding Fair, where I will have a range of hats and headpieces for you to see and try.  Feel free to bring me your millinery dreams and dilemmas, and I will be delighted to assist.

www.racheldrewer.com