Drop Dead GORGEOUS Headwear

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

The recent issue of RENAISSANCE magazine featured an article on a VERY talanted Milliner by the name of Michelle Fennema. I found her Facebook Page and my jaw dropped when I saw her work. Absolutely stunning. This woman puts me to shame and everyone else who does Renaissiance Styled Hats and Headwear to shame!

Examples of Michelle's work....Talk about DROP DEAD Gorgeous!!!! The photos in the magazine DID not do these pieces justice.












Ok. Let the DROOLING begin! I doubt these works of art are cheap by any means. But WORTH every penny she charges!!!

Feel Free to share your favorite Milliners.

[GryffinSong]

Wow, those are stunning!!! 

[bookwench]

Gorgeous!  I wish I were that good! 

[lady serena]

Beautiful!

[Sev]

Oh my goodness!! The third and fourth are absolutely beautiful, truly stunning works of art!

I think the first is my favorite, though, I have such a weakness for that shape/style and what perfect colors!

And now I'm looking at her Facebook, too... my goodness... she really takes it to a whole new level, doesn't she?

Thanks for sharing! This is super inspirational!

[Pinn]

Amazing.. Now if I can remeber this when I go to the Book of Faces and look at her work there.

[Lady Rosalind]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Serenity]

Holy Crap!  Those pieces are amazing.  Drooling is an understatement.

[Rowan MacD]

Oh my goodness!! The third and fourth are absolutely beautiful, truly stunning works of art!

I think the first is my favorite, though, I have such a weakness for that shape/style and what perfect colors!

Here's a pic of the finished work being worn...
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/p480x480/45768_145698162265843_1956964327_n.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.facebook.com/MichelleFennemaMillinery&h=722&w=480&sz=94&tbnid=TCKz_uNdF68KLM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=60&zoom=1&usg=__kZW-sTxfpYlOCkpmcMK6Ob-G2F8=&docid=1_GATCbOM0FDMM&sa=X&ei=RIKKUfX5Kc_9qgH_kIBg&ved=0CE0Q9QEwBg&dur=639

[GryffinSong]

Wow. That is truly a hat fit for a queen!!! 

[Rowan MacD]

   While drooling, I was trying to figure out where she got the gold decorations on the third hood.  They look a bit like the 'scrambled eggs ' on an officers hat.   It's so ornate it looks almost Russian.
    I see she is based out of Pasadena, Ca.   I would wager a bet that she is a studio costume designer, or works in that field.   
    I  would kill to have access to the findings and trim sources she probably has. *sigh*

Edit: When you get to see the photos in her FB album, look for the delicious tall hat with the huge 'diamond' on the front. 
  Where were these court pictures taken?  What faire is this?

[captmarga]

I have absolutely NOT got the patience to do this kind of work.  BUT I have found out a way to put the pin-pieces on... JoAnn sells Hatpin pieces.  You bead them up, put on a clear stopper, then insert them into the piece.  I did this on my "Russian crown" a couple of years ago  for my Gyptian character.  A poor imitation of this wonderful work... these are stunning.

Marga

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

  AS with many Master Level Designers, they are very reluctant to reveal their sources as to where they get things that are so unsual. The same goes for Costume Designers for films.

A few years ago, the Vendor at Bristol, La Paloma Hats, was reluctant to tell me where she gets her best quality Buckram for her hats. When I  told her that she did not have a monolpoly on the Renaissance Hat making Market  and that she had plenty of competition, she backed down and told me. I thanked her and let he know that she had nothing to fear from me..

I am still drooling over Michelle Fennema's BEAUTIFUL creations. Someday i will attempt to make something similar as a gift to a Queen.

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

Someday i will attempt to make something similar as a gift to a Queen.

AHHH You don't have to do that for me Kathy :-P

LOVE her work. I'm drooling for that red French Hood with the gold leaf

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

THe Article in the magazine stated that the Crowns can cost as much as $1,700 depending on how complex it is. Hats range from $200 to $350.

The Red Hood/Crown with the Gold Leafing would be the $1,700 one. I can see why!

I was lucky enough to snatch this now Out-Of-Print Butterick pattern http://butterick.mccall.com/b5441--products-10544.php?page_id=967 There is a Crown pattern there I could redraft and experiment. I think I shall.