Fourteenth: Making Mom's Headpiece Mine
When repurposing a mother’s vintage bridal headpiece or wedding crown, my value goes beyond the scope of fashion design. I am a problem solver who provides beautiful and elegant creative solutions. My bride, Ashleigh, needed just that!
Ashleigh came to me trying to envision how her mother’s headpiece would work with her wedding day style. Her mother always wanted her to wear her 1987 headpiece. This 36-year-old crown had several challenges to overcome before a trip down the aisle.
Ashleigh was torn about modifying the original piece because of its long family history. I never try to persuade a bride to go in a specific direction. I listen to them and get a sense of what they would like to do: restore it fully to its original state or change it into a style of their own. This decision can be pretty emotional and isn’t always an easy one.
One of the most common problems I see in vintage headpieces is hairspray damage. Over the years, the grimy, sticky coating of hairspray gathers dust and turns a dingy golden orange. I am often surprised that even today, you will see top hairstylists applying several coats of hairspray over beautiful, shining bridal accessories, not realizing the extensive damage it will do over time. However, seeing my brides’ reactions when they see the before and after images is very satisfying!
Making Mom’s Headpiece Mine
Photos by DK Photography
GOWN / Justin Alexander VENUE / Maritime Parc HEADPIECE / Headpiece.com HAIR / Kristine Demaj MUA / Smashbrush FLORIST / WMF Events
Ashleigh gifted her mom with a set of five hairpins designed from the extra vintage crystals.
I suggested Ashleigh allow me to make some alterations to her veil so it worked perfectly in tandem with her restyled headpiece. The existing big and bulky comb would appear prominent when worn under her beautiful headpiece. I took her veil apart, reshaped it, and put it on my signature handmade frame to flow more beautifully from her piece.
I have never ended my blog with a photo of a bride and her mother. In the end, the marriage promise and the union of two are what is most important. But how can I overlook the love of a mother for her daughter and the love of a daughter for her mom? This blog never would have occurred without the love of a grandmother for her granddaughters. And, as I await the birth of my first granddaughter at any moment, I hope one day I have the opportunity for the same.
See you next month on the Fourteenth