Fourteenth: Restoring the Beauty of Old Beaded Wedding Crowns
Beaded wedding crowns were in style in the 1940s and 1950s. This type of vintage headpiece can be challenging to restore or repair. The most common issues are crushing, discoloration, and missing beads. Don’t lose heart! There is hope to wear them on your wedding day.
The best way to understand the difficulty in restoring these old-world beauties is to explain how milliners made them. Crown patterns were created and then beaded on a piece of face fabric, sometimes with a lining. Milliners completed the beaded layer and backed it with a stiff, laminated material. This final step sandwiched the threads while creating the structure for the finished crown. Over the years, the method and place of storage of these old crowns are often the cause of discoloration, structural weakness, and deterioration of the beading threads. With the laminated backing adhered to the crown, performing the handwork and sewing needed for repair is challenging.
1959 Rhinestone and Pearl Beaded Crown
The bride’s mother, Julie Barr, contacted me from Virginia to see what could be done with her mother’s crown so her daughter Kelly could wear it on her wedding day. This crown was in fabulous condition.
The rhinestone pronged settings were tarnished so severely they had turned black and made the crown look dingy and the pearls golden. Removing tarnish from old rhinestone settings is a tremendous amount of work without significant results. I suggested removing them and replacing them with new stones. Adding a touch of white opal also helped to brighten the piece.
BEFORE
AFTER
1953 Pearl and Seed Bead Crown
Marianna married in September 1953 and passed her crown down to her daughter JoAnn who wore it in 1983. Marianna’s granddaughter, Sabrina, was next in line to walk down the aisle wearing it, but it needed repair.
Marianna on her wedding day 9/19/53
JoAnn on her wedding day 8/7/83
When JoAnn brought the crown to Headpiece.com for an evaluation, I immediately recognized that someone had previously tried to replace missing beads using glue that oxidized. Before I could even attempt to replace the beads, I had to try to remove the glue and staining. The process was tedious but offered great results.
BEFORE- Stains from glued pearls
AFTER- Glue cleaned and new pearls hand-sewn
Finished Beaded Crown Restoration
1938 Rhinestone Crown
Nicole DeSantis, wished to wear her grandmother Rose’s crown, but it was in grave shape. If Nicole could find someone to restore it, she would be the first bride to wear it since 1938.
“I wanted to have a part of my grandmother with me on my wedding day; that was close and special. Her headpiece was the only thing saved from her gown, and it was such an eye drawing piece. I knew my family would recognize and appreciate how special it made me feel to wear it in her honor.”
“The biggest challenge was finding someone who was able to restore it so that it was wearable again without losing any of its integrity. I had tried bridal shops and jewelers. Their solutions were either creating a new headpiece or just telling me nothing could be done. Headpiece.com was a true blessing, and their reviews gave me hope.”
Nicole originally had no intention of wearing a headpiece. Her grandmother’s crown was so fragile she didn’t think it would be possible for anyone to wear it again.
“This old crown was in the top three most fragile pieces I have ever restored. It lost all shape and structure, and was completely flat. The backing of the crown seemed like old, weakened cardboard. One misstep and the headpiece could have torn. Finding a trusted expert when working on such pieces is essential.”
I removed the binding that housed the plastic band, which gave the original piece shape and sculpted it to the bride’s head.
The plastic band was fully deteriorated and broken into small pieces.
Nicole didn’t plan to wear her Grandmother’s headpiece as a crown. We discussed options during her consultation. I repaired the headpiece by wiring to give it strength and structure, so Nicole could wear it draped over her hairstyle in the back.
Nicole’s Wedding DAy
Photos by Bridoll Photography
GOWN / Maggie Sottero VENUE / Nanina’s In The Park HAIR / Glam by Joss BEAUTY / Glamorous by Jennifer Rose
“Don’t hesitate with your decision to wear an heirloom. If it’s something meaningful to you, that’s all that matters. There is always a way!”
1948 Rocailles and Seed Bead Crown
Gladys Alexander married Edward in a gorgeous Rocaille beaded crown in 1948. Her daughter Deborah wore it in 1973. The photos below note the change in the shape of this family crown after just 25 years. The center top of the crown began curling inward, probably due to being crushed in a box when stored away. Deborah’s daughter, Corinna, was referred to us by Hallak The Couture Cleaner. Hallak specializes in wedding gown preservation but often sends us brides looking for help with vintage millinery needs.
Gladys and Edward 1948
Deborah’s wedding day in 1973
When Corinna came to Headpiece.com for her consultation, it became apparent that the crushing at the top of the crown was more severe than when her mom wore it in 1973.
“As beautiful as the beading was on the face of her grandmother’s crown, the underside had evidence of stress tears. Stabilizing the outer shape of the crown would help to prevent further damage.”
I was so pleased with the results of Corinna's crown restoration. I replaced quite a few tiny white seed beads and repaired the shape of the frame. Removing the old and rigid headband at the bottom of the crown and creating a handmade flexible base would ensure comfort on her wedding day.
Corinna’s Wedding Day
Wedding photography by Gabriele Malagoli
GOWN / Ines Disanto SALON / Mark Ingram Altelier VENUE / Villa D’este BEAUTY / The Studio Como PLANNER / Lake Como Wedding Planner
“My mom was surprised and happy that I wore it. It connected us and reminded her of her mother, who passed away and who I think would have loved the wedding very much. We, along with my aunt, also carried my grandmother’s handkerchiefs, and I wore an aquamarine ring that belonged to her.”
“I’d thought about wearing a headpiece, but I wasn’t impressed by the workmanship of what I had seen at that point or the metal and enamel crowns that seemed popular. I was afraid that a headpiece done wrong could look excessive and silly. But I fell in love when I tried my grandmother’s with my dress and veil. It was subtly beautiful, modern, and, given its history, felt uniquely appropriate. The beading coordinated with my dress, and its more modern design provided a counterpoint to the traditional design of my dress lace. I loved that it was crown-like but also soft looking.”
Corinna’s wedding day fashion style…
“I wanted to compliment our venue, Villa D’Este, which people in the area called “the place where everything is perfect.” Villa D’Este is uniquely Italian. It is glamorous and ornate without being stuffy or overdone. It’s elegant and timeless, and every detail is in perfect taste. I would say I was going for relaxed Italian elegance—maybe Grace Kelly meets Sofia Loren.”
Villa D’Este in Italy
Corinna wore her crown during the ceremony, for photos afterwards, and the cocktail hour, most of which she and Geoff spent on a boat on the lake.
“My mom and I are both so grateful for your restoration. Now we have an heirloom to pass down.”
Headpiece.com has organically risen to the top of Google searches for brides needing experienced but delicate repair and restoration services for their vintage crowns and headpieces.
“My love and passion for making something old beautiful again are why brides choose us. I then pass that love on to my brides in my work. The two gems below await their turn to be brought back to life and witness a wedding love story once again. Happy Valentines Day!”
1950 Lace Seed Bead and Rhinestone Crown
1945 Seed Bead Family Wedding Crown
See you next month on the Fourteenth