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Jacqui Harding

United Kingdom

• Royal Ascot Hats: Top Trends for 2019 (HATalk Blog)

The thought and design process stemmed from the photograph of the white beaded halo crown, I was inspired by the shape and elegance for my competition entry.

The article states that the halo crown was the number 1 trend in 2019. This trend is showing no sign of slowing down and has become a classic shape. It has been used throughout history by regal women. Recently the Duchess of Cambridge has sported this style and so hugely influenced the millinery industry and clients who want to emulate her timeless style.

By using the halo shape, white colour and beading trim from this halo, I have attempted to escalate the design and create a headpiece fit for royalty.

The white draped silk gives the piece a lightness and the beads at the centre of the flowers an iridescence as in the HATalk article. The shape is higher and more angular but I have ensured it's still feminine with a touch of chic by adding the small millinery bow at the front that ties in with the ribbon used.

This halo headband has been created as a suitable headpiece for Royal Ascot and original enough to standout as a bespoke piece.

I have aimed to create a piece that is elegant, a touch of vintage, on trend, easy to wear and above all makes you want to put your shoulders back and stand tall.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a halo crown to Prince Louis' christening, I hoped to create a piece she would be happy to wear.

The HATalk article inspired the creation of this headpiece.

A friend of mine described it as resembling a Regal Russian design and I was very happy with that description.

• Gutermann thread
• Crochet thread
• 15 mm Millinery Ribbon
• Sinmay
• Draping fabric
• Millinery wire
• Hydrangea petals
• Glass Bead
• Guy Morse Hat block and pins
• Stiffener, cling film, tools

• Block and stretch the sinamay over the front and back of the Guy Morse Brown block
• Carefully remove and trim the sinamay from the block
• Wire the halo crown with millinery wire using blanket stitch
• Pin and drape the ivory fabric over one section
• Attach the millinery ribbon
• Sew on the flowers and beading in the centre
• Attach the 5mm gold metal headband securely