In the beginning
When Hannah sent me a message about having a hat made for her mother-in-law, she started with a wonderful description of her. As a designer it's always good to picture the person I'm imagining a hat for. And to begin with, Yvette was half French just like me, so it was really nice to feel that we had something in common.
After they sent me some pictures of the dress, we concluded that the Origami Coquette would best match the crossover neckline and the pleating on the bodice. Yvette was also quite clear she wasn't a fan of flowers or bows, but much preferred sharp shapes. The Origami pillbox hat with its intricate pleating and angular design seemed like the perfect choice. It was agreed that I would use some of the actual fabric (as the dress was being shortened) and some purple fabric Yvette would supply.
"It was made promptly, dispatched in a beautiful box and made me feel perfectly dressed at my wedding. Thank you Anna for a great service and beautiful hat." Yvette
An important pillbox
Because it was such an important occasion, I was understandably a little apprehensive to begin with. However once I started working, the hat slowly began to magically appear. Always with my customer in mind, I focus on the balance of the design. Playing with the shapes and the properties of the material, I allow the hat to materialize as naturally as possible.
I used the fabric of the dress at the end of a fan shape pleating, on the edge of the composition so it looked like the finishing touch of the geometrical design.
Finally Yvette went for a pewter birdcage veil, which was a great colour combination with her lavender dress and the purple base of the hat.
Delighted Yvette
Once it was made, I posted the hat and waited impatiently to hear from Yvette... And after a couple of days I was delighted to find out that she loved her custom-made Coquette pillbox! Later when she sent me the pictures of the big day, I couldn't be happier to see how beautiful she looked.
"My daughter in law bought me the best wedding present - a pillbox hat from Anna Chocola - it was made with the off cut of my wedding dress and worked perfectly. It was made promptly, dispatched in a beautiful box and made me feel perfectly dressed at my wedding. Thank you Anna for a great service and beautiful hat. " Yvette
It's always a nerve wracking process when I'm entrusted with such an important commission as someone's wedding hat. But the reward of helping them look and feel at their best makes it all worthwhile.
Thank you Hannah & Yvette.
Congratulations to the bride and groom!
