David Dunkley – Canada

Lady Stephanie

Category: Modern

Description

Combining traditional millinery techniques of painting and flower making taught to me by millinery legend and mentor Rose Cory I have created what is the most popular traditional millinery style of flower – the rose that is most beloved within our industry and for my clients. The magical and modern twist is the fusing of these with a modern acrylic shape. The shape uses traditional blocks to create it’s final look buts it the art of millinery experience and sculpting with a light hand that achieves the romantic “Fusion”.

Materials

• Acrylic
• Silk Dupioni
• Procion Dyes
• Silk Organza
• 20 Gauge Millinery Wire
• Heat Gun
• Button block
• 22.5 inch Balsa block head
• Awl
• hand sewing needles for flowers and thread
• Interface for flowers

Techniques

• The first step was to hand paint all the grograin, dupioni and silk organza. Being aware I wanted to create a variegated colour pattern to each petal and for the grograin. All three flowers are hand shaped and assembled.
• Second step — cut out an oversized circle of acrylic with industrial hand snips
• Third step — using an industrial heat gun the centre of the acrylic circle was heated and melted and blocked around a button block. This created the centre of the fascinator and also a place for the fascinator to rest and hug the head.
• Fourth step — using the heat gun the fasciantor was hand scuplted
• Fifth step — slots are cut into either side of the finished fasciantor shape and a custom acrylic head band is shaped around a head block and then slipped through said openings. This creates the foundation for how it’s attached to the head. Holes are poked through the back of the head band and hand painted grorgain is used as a tie to secure the fascinator. It’s amazing how that part worked out! Careful attention was paid to ensure there are no sharp edges poking the head or pressure points.
• Six Step — flowers are wired to the fasciantor (you can’t sew to acrylic!)
• Seventh Step — Grograin is pulled tight around edge and sewn – then using tailor tape the grosgrain is attached flat