2013年06月12日
Milliner Rosie Olivia is turning heads - and fans include members of the Royal family and the Made in Chelsea cast 【LANCASHIRE LIFE】
Rosie Norman is happy to let success go to her head – after all, she’s making hats for some of Britain’s most famous women.
With her workshop in a converted garden shed and her showroom in her sister’s old bedroom, Rosie doesn’t exactly possess all the trappings of success. However, she has already made a name for herself in the north west and she now has the Royal seal of approval for her bespoke designs.
Her customers include Princess Beatrice and, more recently, the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister Pippa Middleton. Being worn by royalty was a fantastic endorsement - you don’t get much more high profile than the Christmas Day service at Sandringham. ‘I was flattered and excited to get such a chance so early in my career,’ says Rosie. ‘I’m honoured to have my brand associated with Her Royal Highness.
‘Princess Beatrice is well known for wearing eye-catching hats and I am thrilled to be able to add to her collection. She’s got a reputation for being wacky, but I think she wanted to tame it down a bit, and she really did look great. When I watched it on TV with my family and saw her wearing my hat we popped the cork on a bottle of champagne to celebrate!’
Rosie, who attended King David School in Childwall and Liverpool College, has always been artistic but it wasn’t until she studied decorative arts at Nottingham Trent University that she tried millinery. She knew it was for her.
She produced a range of hats for her degree and she got a first. Then Rosie completed a further course at Central Saint Martins before taking internships with top milliners Philip Treacy, Stephen Jones and Victoria Grant.
After learning about the business side from top people in the trade, she was convinced she could make it on her own. Now just 24 and with two years under her belt, Rosie Olivia Millinery is really taking off. Her creations are now stocked in Fenwick’s of Bond Street as well as selected outlets near her home in the smart Liverpool suburb of Woolton.
Channeling her infectious personality through her hats, Rosie’s designs revel in the very British heritage of wearing hats and draw stylish inspiration from modern and vintage trends. Her clients range from 20-year-olds to women in the 70s and she uses colour and luxury materials in an exciting blend which results in wearable statement pieces for daywear and formal occasions such as weddings and Ascot.
All are handmade by Rosie in her workshop – these days, a very upmarket garden shed – and clients come for consultations at her family home.
‘At some point I’m going to have to move to London, but at the moment I can keep control of my business from here. It’s a 24/7 job, but very exciting. I feel so lucky to be doing something I love and it’s a great feeling when a client is delighted with something you have created,’ adds Rosie.
She produces two collections a year and for winter, Rosie’s collection includes fedoras and caps in berry shades with hand beading. Her Spring 2014 collections is already organised, too, and features smaller hats in pastel shades.Rosie’s working hard on a special collection at the moment – for family attending her sister’s wedding. For now, she’s keeping her ideas under her hat but it’s sure to be a stylish affair.
The Royal connection
Rosie has been supported by the Prince’s Trust as part of the youth charity’s Enterprise programme which gave her valuable advice when she set up her company. This connection gave Rosie the chance to meet Princess Beatrice and she was invited to create a bespoke piece for her to wear.
Working with the Princess’ stylist, the hat was designed specifically to complement her outfit, and was made from black velour felt, trimmed with a simple bow crafted from Rosie Olivia’s trademark hand-woven lace.
And since then she has made an attention-grabbing hat for Pippa Middleton who wore it to a society wedding. The word is getting out. Perhaps the Duchess of Cambridge will be the next customer?
Visit her website www.rosieolivia.com call 07780 668885, or get in touch by email at rosie@rosieoliviamillinery.com to book a consultation.
Seen on TV
Keep watching the new series of Made in Chelsea for Rosie’s bespoke hats worn by Ashley James and Ollie Locke for whom she made a personalised black fur cap with his initials picked out in Swarovski crystals.
A cap on it
Women are no longer fascinated by fascinators, according to celebrity milliner Philip Treacy. The tiny titfers have become so cheap to make discerning ladies are going back to ‘proper hats’ like those made by Rosie. Fascinators have already been banned at Royal Ascot.
投稿者 unicon : 09:32