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Tell us about Rosie Willett Designs — how did you get into designing wedding headpieces?
I studied Fashion Marketing at Northumbria University and during my time there, I began designing wedding headpieces. I met with a lady from a local bridal boutique who loved the designs, so she started taking orders from her brides for me. After gaining my degree, I decided to launch Rosie Willett Designs as a full-time business as I loved it too much to give it up.
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Is it difficult to keep your ideas fresh? What inspires your creations?
Designing bridal headbands is more than just a job for me—I’m always coming up with new designs. In fact, it’s actually more difficult to stop myself from designing! I sometimes just have to do a quick sketch and file it away until it’s time to release a new collection.
My inspiration largely comes from nature — I’m a bit of a flower fanatic. I look at the way leaves form along a stem and the delicacy of petals. I am also inspired by current wedding dress trends and I’m particularly interested in fabrics such as delicate lace and embroideries. The patterns in these fabrics can often inspire patterns and shapes in my bead work.
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Do you have a favourite headpiece?
My favourite headpiece has to be the Rosie wedding hair vine, which I designed for my own wedding — I’m biased, I know! The hair vine is secured at the back with a comb, with the ends crossing over at the side of the head. It’s an unusual design made in rose gold with silk, lace and mother of pearl flowers in shades of ivory, blush and coffee. Swarovski crystal adds delicate sparkle, along with freshwater pearl for a natural and bohemian look.
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How long does it take to make each of the headpieces?
The time spent on creating my headpieces varies from piece to piece, based on the level of detail they include. The most elaborate headpiece in the collection takes approximately 10 hours to make, as it contains 25 individually hand-stitched petals.
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There are so many styles to choose from. What advice would you give to brides who are looking for their perfect hair accessory?
Consider the overall look you want to achieve on the day is my main advice to future brides. Hair vines and forehead bands are ideal for romantic and bohemian styles, whereas side tiaras create a more glamorous look and a traditional tiara looks very classic.
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Have you noticed any wedding headpiece trends for 2017? What are the popular styles?
For 2017, hair vines remain popular, with brides wearing them in contemporary ways, such as around the back of the head or twisted into a plait. Rose gold is also a huge trend this year.
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What is the best part of your job?
I find creating bespoke headpieces very enjoyable, especially when you get to see the final design.
Of course, I also love to hear how happy my brides are with their headpieces and see photographs from their wedding days.
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Any insider tips to minimise headpiece-related stress on the big day?
I always advise brides to book a hair trial ahead of their wedding day, with enough time for changes to be made to your style if it doesn’t look quite how you imagined. I would also advise taking your headpiece to at least one dress fitting to ensure it complements the dress. Ask a bridesmaid to carry a travel size hairspray, comb and some kirby grips in their bag for hair touch ups throughout the day.
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If you could sum up your creations in three words, what would they be?
Exquisite, handmade, stylish.
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Give us your trend predictions for 2018.
For 2018, pearls will feature a lot at Rosie Willett Designs, used in our delicate signature style to create bohemian combs and vines in new lengths and widths. We are also working with new crystal shapes and structures to create pieces with a luxurious regal feel, giving a glamorous twist to classic style.
Explore www.rosiewillettdesigns.co.uk for the perfect bridal headband for your big day!
The brand also has a stylish range of personalised wedding date bags, T shirts, sweatshirts and more, ideal for gifts. To find out more visit here.
Organising your wedding on a budget? Visit Rosie Willett’s sample sale and save up to 50% on selected products.