Truth be told, I’ve always been a little intimidated by hats. For years I’ve struggled to find ones that suited me (and I still say I have an abnormally large head). When I do venture into the Land of the Great Chapeau, I tend more towards fascinators and headbands, which feel like the perfect mix of whimsey and glam (especially if they involve glitter).
I‘m not sure if anyone else can relate to this, but when there are cloudy skies and To Do Lists that stretch for miles, my hands itch towards garments that speak of the exact opposite. The frothiest of confections. The most glitter. The least practical. If the world outside is in disarray, my brain swirls with machinations around sparkles and tulle and happy endings. Yes ladies and gents, we are officially in my Princess Era (had we ever really left?).
Right around the time I was letting my imagination (and my sewing machine) run away on clouds of sparkly ombre tulle, I was contacted by a London-based milliner, Jana of Jana Katrina Millinery. Jana makes the most luxurious of hats and fascinators, from a swoon-worthy existing collection to your bespoke hat of dreams. And I immediately knew that my Princess Era simply would not be complete without the most fairy tale, sugar spun accessories.
Jana was just as inspired by my escapist fairy princess gown as I was, and kindly offered to make me its perfect match….
If you haven’t fallen down the rabbit hole of millinery before, it is essentially the art of making and selling hats. The term has its origins in Milan, Italy (hence Millinery, or ‘Milaner’), which has long been a fashion epicenter and a major hub for textiles. Although it can be traced back as far as ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome (worn more for practical purposes than fashion), it wasn’t really until the 1600’s and 1700’s where hats became more a means of self-expression, bringing forth millinery as a profession. I read that the higher the hat, the higher the social status, so it’s no surprise that things only flourished from there – headpieces adorned with feathers, beads, and netting to create all manner of elaborate designs – with hats becoming a fashion staple in many a closet.
I have a pretty modest number of vintage hats in my collection (see above: hats and I have had a tumultuous relationship), but have always been fascinated by the art of millinery. As a lover to appliqué, it’s no surprise that I’m enamored by the 3D details and intricate hand work that goes into creating these unique works of art. I’ve even seen some true millinery techniques being brought to clothing as well, with leaves and flowers woven around bust cups or curling up the hem of a prom dress.
Never one to save things for a special occasion, I think I need to give my hats a bit more time in the sun. What is a fairy princess, after all, without her crown?
I caught up with the lovely Jana via DM on how she fell in love with the art of millinery. Like most artists I know, millinery is a clear passion of hers, combining traditional techniques with a modern twist (which is definitely right up my personal style alley….). She was kind enough to share with me a bit about her shop’s mission and journey to millinery below.
Discover Jana Katrina Millinery: Crafting Elegant Hats with a Personal Story There’s more to Jana Katrina Millinery than beautiful hats—each piece reflects Jana Katrina’s personal journey and passion for her craft. Originally from Germany, Jana Katrina moved to the UK in 2016 and was soon inspired by the British tradition of fascinators and elegant headwear at weddings. Captivated by the unique styles and how they elevated occasions, she pursued several millinery courses, immersed herself in the art of hat-making through extensive reading and research, and dedicated countless hours to perfecting her skills.
Her persistence and love for creativity blossomed into a collection of hats and fascinators known for their elegance, attention to detail, and originality. Jana Katrina’s designs combine traditional millinery techniques with a modern aesthetic, bringing a unique perspective to each piece – perfect for weddings, races, or any special event. Today, her work offers clients a chance to add sophistication and individuality to their special occasions, backed by a deep dedication to craftsmanship and style. Beyond ready-made pieces, Jana Katrina welcomes custom commissions, allowing clients to collaborate on a design that’s uniquely theirs.
Explore the world of Jana Katrina Millinery to find a piece that adds sophistication and individuality to your look. Whether you’re a hat enthusiast or new to the world of millinery, Jana Katrina’s creations promise to transform any outfit into a memorable ensemble.
~Jana Katrina
I have been lucky enough to handle many headpieces in my vintage hunting over the years, and the first thing I noticed about Jana’s bespoke fascinator was its amazing quality. The netting she chose was so sculptural, perfectly mimicking the petals of the central flower and taking them to ethereal heights. Knowing my penchant for being a little bit extra, Jana added a sequin detail to the cap, bringing the twinkling starts of my tulle dress up and giving both a chance to shine.
If you check out Jana Katrina Millinery on Etsy, you can see several of her ready-made pieces. But, if you have a special event coming up or have an idea in mind, I can’t recommend enough just letting Jana run with it and create you a bespoke hat. She did a few mock up versions of mine until we landed on the perfect design to complement my dress, and now I can’t imagine the two apart. I was impressed to find the hat arrived in lightning fast speed from the UK (particularly considering it had to cross an ocean to get to me), arriving on my doorstep 6 days after shipping. I was also completely smitten with the black and white striped hatbox it arrived in, ensuring she would always be safe from dust (which you can check out on my IG here), while providing a bit of extra pizazz to my shelf.
If you are as in love with Jana’s designs as I am, she is offering an exclusive coupon code to my readers. Use code SPARKLE20 for 20% off her Etsy shop. You can also keep up with Jana Katrina on her shop’s IG to keep an eye out for her latest creations and inspirations. She also holds events and workshops if you want to learn the art of making hats yourself (which I would sign up for immediately if I lived in London!)
Truthfully, I think it’s so important to remember that we are all worthy of beautiful things. Of embracing the extra. Lucky for me, I will always have this hat to remind me…
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: Made by me! (tutorial coming soon)
Fascinator: c/o Jana Katrina Millinery
Belt: Alannah Hill (similar)
Handbag: gift (similar)
Shoes: Jimmy Choo, thrifted (similar here & here)
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Any items marked with a “c/o” (courtesy of) a retailer mean I was provided with an item for free in exchange for a review and/or feature on my blog. I always provide my honest opinion of any item I’m reviewing, regardless of whether it was sent to me as a courtesy item or if I purchased it myself. In addition, this post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links or ads on this site, I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase at no cost to you, which helps with the day-to-day running costs of my blog.