Fourteenth: Restyling a Vintage Headpiece
Jessica Cianci has a love for vintage style! Not only did Jessica come to Headpiece.com to restyle her mom’s 1983 headpiece and veil, but she also began a rental business focused on her passion for collecting vintage decor.
“Onyx and Ivory Rentals is a boutique decor rental company. Our official start was on the day we were supposed to get married, November 20th, 2020. Antique shopping and styling is something that I have always loved. Being able to start a business where I can help my clients celebrate the happy moments of life is something really special.”
While Jessica’s wedding was postponed to January 8, 2022, she spent her time developing her business and catering to micro weddings.
“Onyx and Ivory Vintage is your one-stop vintage event rental company. The majority of our pieces are second hand, and we work to sustainably source vintage and boutique pieces for our collection.”
Onyx and Ivory Vintage service micro weddings and up to 120 china place settings. They also provide cool retro lounge areas for cocktail spaces and photo ops.
Vintage Headpiece and Veil Restyle
“Jessica brought me her mom’s thirty-seven year old bridal headpiece, and for me, it was love at first sight. Many of the eighties headpieces I work on look almost identical. This piece had distinct character.”
MaryLou Schauder and Philip Cianci said “I do” on October 9th, 1983. Her headpiece was made of wired lace and flowers with a two-tier circular veil attached.
Restyling vintage headpieces from the late 70s and on always present a challenge. During this era, they ceased making quality pieces. It became rare to find a good old-fashioned piece of bridal millinery. Crowns, wreaths, and frame-style bridal headpieces were made on mass-produced frames and glued together.
It is time consuming to deconstruct these old headpieces and remove the paper wrapping, craft wire, and excessive amounts of glue. The magic happens once I uncover the elements I wish to use and redesign the piece using traditional and self-devised millinery techniques.
“The sentiment and the prospect of creating a new and lasting wedding headpiece are so valuable to my brides. To take what was mom’s and make it theirs goes beyond a beautiful design. It is a gift!”
Initially, Jessica didn’t think using her mom’s headpiece and veil was an option. After visiting our website, Headpiece.com, she had hope.
“When I went to the website, I started to get excited that I might be able to use my mom’s headpiece. I didn’t think the veil was an option at that point. It was fingertip, and I wanted something long. I didn’t know what could be done if anything at all.”
I remember Jessica’s excitement when I called to tell her that I was able to make her mother’s veil into a 97” long single tier. Creating the unimaginable for my brides is the best feeling!
ROck ISLAND LAKE CLUB ~ JESSICA & TIM
Wedding Photos by Meghan Leigh Photography
VENUE | Rock Island Lake Club VINTAGE HEADPIECE AND VEIL | Headpiece.com BRIDAL GOWN | Pronovias HAIR AND BEAUTY | My Make Up Artist Victoria FLORIST | Strange Vine PLANNER | Let It Be Lovely
“My mother and I have always been close and having something of hers with me on my wedding day was meaningful to me.”
I suggested to Jessica that we add a touch of sparkle and a hint of blue to elevate the level of the new design. I did so softly, interspersing14K gold wirings of clear crystal and light sapphire. It made the vintage flowers come to life!
“My mom’s headpiece was monotone, and while it had some dimension, it was a little flat. Adding the crystals really took it to the next level. My florist also added subtle blue to our winter wedding florals to pull it all together.”
The most exciting part for Jessica was seeing the transformation of her mom’s vintage two-tier fingertip bridal veil into a gorgeous, contemporary long veil.
“I didn’t even think using the veil was an option. It was fingertip, and I wanted something long. I didn’t know what could be done, if anything at all.”
“Most of my family knew that it was my mom’s headpiece. My father knew, and that was special for me since he essentially danced with that veil and headpiece twice. My mom was overjoyed that I could use it the way I wanted to. Everyone could not believe the veil was the same veil, and they could really see my mom’s headpiece in mine. It was pretty special!”
“I recommend Headpiece.com to as many people as I can. Weddings, in my opinion, are very sentimental, and heavily family-focused. I encourage brides and clients to use as many heirlooms as possible for decor and accessories!”
“I wanted to thank Jessica and the many virtual brides from around the country for entrusting us with the redesign of their vintage wedding accessories. Because of you, we have found our way to the top of Google searches,—AND it is changing my business in amazing ways. I love being a part of your family’s wedding fashion history.”
See you next month on the Fourteenth