Hats Hats Hats - Ireland's Great Milliners
Tuesday 18 February 2014
WITH weddings being planned right now all over the country, we are coming into the season when it's also all about hats, hats, hats.
Most of us dread the thought of wearing a hat, perhaps we feel a bit self-conscious. But whether you are a member of the bridal party, or just a guest, nothing finishes off a fabulous outfit more than a hat.
With our equestrian history too, we also have a millinery status to keep up at the racecourse. So, whether you want a sweeping brim, a mysterious veiled number, or a perky headpiece, we have some great talent in this arena around the country.
FIONA MANGAN
When a member of the royal family chooses one of your hats to wear, it certainly makes your name stand out from the crowd.
That is exactly what happened to Fiona Mangan from Athenry, Co Galway. Her chic black headpiece was chosen by Zara Phillips to offset a bright yellow dress at Goodwood Races last August, in which she was widely photographed.
Fiona started her millinery business only in 2011 but she has a keen eye for style and form. "I was an architect. I trained in DIT and worked as an architect for 10 years in Galway. Then the recession hit, I was made redundant and I had to think about what else I could do.
"I have always been into the creative thing, making clothes and so on. I did a course in millinery in Galway and just took it from there. I started making pieces and was nominated for a few awards. I won 'Best Fascinator' at the Breeders Cup in the USA and I was named Irish Accessory Designer of the Year 2012.
"Then, last year, Zara Phillips wore one of my hats. It was a black Faberge egg-shaped pillbox with black glass beads and quill, which she bought from a website I supply in London. I was at the Galway Races the day she was photographed and I didn't see it for about a week.
"It was great publicity – and the story was picked up by Hello and OK! magazines as well," Fiona says.
I find it fascinating to think that members of the royal family now buy online – sitting there doing virtual try- ons! Retail prices are from €235-€310 whilst bespoke pieces which take more time are €350-€400.
Fiona supplies the Galway Hat Shop, Frock and Fabulous on Drury Street, Love Hats.com and Audrey et Auguste in Hong Kong.
www.fionamangan.com
ALICE J KELLY
Alice J Kelly is based in Blackwater, Co Wexford, and produces superb bespoke hats and fascinators.
"I'm from Wexford originally, a farmer's daughter, and I live in Blackwater on seven acres, with four horses, four dogs, a cat and four daughters. I trained as a tailor 25 years ago when I completed my Leaving Certificate.
"I wanted to be a fashion designer, I wanted to go to London, but my parents didn't allow me to go. They were different times and they were afraid for me. I trained with well-known tailor James Wallace in Wexford, which would have been connected with Nicky Wallace. They were making Miami Vice-style suits at the time."
Alice then took time out and had four daughters, Grace, 22, Rachel 19, Kate 16, and Fiona 13. Clearly very creative, she then went into interior design for some time.
"About three years ago I decided on millinery and I am developing it into a full-time business at the moment." Weddings and the races are big with Alice too.
"I do a lot of mother of the bride and groom as well as guests." Look out for an amazing purple hat with large colourful peacock feathers – superb. Alice's prices start at €45 and go up to around €150. www.alicejkelly.com
MONICA FEHER
Monica Feher is originally from Romania but lives in Kells, Co Meath.
"Actually Feher means 'white' in Romania, so I say I come half from here and half from Romania," she laughs. "I have been in Ireland for the past 15 years. Before that I lived in London for three years, but my sisters were here and they wanted me to come over and join them, so we are all here.
"I have always been interested in fashion but just recently in the past three or four years discovered millinery, which I took on more seriously and now I just absolutely love it.
"I trained with Davina Lynch who is based in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, and has won a number of awards. I started the business just over a year ago, so it is very fresh. I do couture but I also have a ready-to-wear selection as well as doing commissions.
"The prices run from €90 upwards depending on the complexity, on the wishes of the client if perhaps they want Swarovski crystals, or if they want certain expensive feathers. It is all down to the client's wishes."
Monica says that people really want something that nobody else has and something that they can wear again. Monica has some amazing hats – look out for the romantic Fifties-style pink and black number – so feminine and divine.
www.monicafeher.com
CLAIRE HURLEY
Claire Hurley is based in Kinsale, Co Cork, where she has her own studio.
"I've always loved hats. I've been a fashion designer for the past five or six years, making one-off pieces of clothing from recycled materials, and I was always interested in hats.
"I got into it when I did the TV show Craftmaster, which aired last autumn. The reason I entered was because one of the craft categories was millinery and there was an opportunity to work with a millinery mentor for a week. So, that was my main stepping-stone into it.
"I worked with couture milliner Linda McKay in Thomastown and she was great. I am really only doing this in the last year."
Claire was perhaps being a little modest because, in fact, she won the Craftmaster competition in 2013 in both the millinery category and was also overall winner.
"In Ireland we are a little bit more conservative but there are always people who want to wear something different," she says.
Claire also has a big demand for weddings and the races but also has a daywear range called Buttons & Bows. She is inspired by nature, history and heritage and our wild and beautiful landscape. She has fabulous mini top hats from her Country Eccentric range which retail at €395 – real pieces for the treasure chest which reminded me of pictures of 'Sissi' Empress Elizabeth of Austria hunting in Ireland in the 1800s.
Look out too for her totally seductive Sparkle and Shine stunners and beautiful ethereal whites and creams in her Purity range. Headpieces range from €85 upwards, with some being heavily embellished.
www.clairehurley.com
First Published in the Sunday Independent