The rise of the fascinator
The fascinator is now indisputably the formal headwear. Whether it is at Ascot, christenings, Royal weddings or any other society event that demands statement headgear, it’s hats off to the fascinator.
Since the turn of the millennium this distinctly odd accessory, more ornament than garment has enjoyed a slow but steady trajectory to the summit of British women’s formalwear shopping lists.
Around the turn of the millennium the tiara was the must have fashion accessory for brides, however 2011 will see one of the most important weddings of our lifetime and the bride to be is an avid wearer of fascinators as opposed to the traditional hats and the question is will Kate Middleton be wearing the traditional veil, a tiara or will she opt for a bespoke fascinator?
Royal wedding guests go crazy for feathers!
At a previous Royal wedding, intricate headwear grabbed the attention when Charles and Camila married.
Charles and Camilla Royal Wedding
A sea of feathers graced the heads of the rich and famous at the royal wedding and first among the spring creations adorned the new duchess of Cornwall — a coronet of gilded plumes tipped with crystals. Her 26-year-old daughter wore a towering creation of feathers and ribbons teased skyward like antlers.
In a country where the queen never appears bareheaded, millinery consciousness is bone-deep among the rich and famous, especially during “the season” — the round of spring and summer A-list parties.
The unique creations at the ceremony for Prince Charles and Camilla towered as much as 12 inches above hairlines and ranged in color from demure creams to hot pinks — feathers artfully arranged on wide-brims or bunched saucily in small hairpieces.
Even Queen Elizabeth II, the prince’s mother, wore a discreet spray of feathers on her wide-brimmed, pale yellow and white floral print.