• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

North East Connected

Hopping Across The North East From Hub To Hub

A chat with Rosie Willett Designs, wedding headpiece designer

The North East is home to some outstanding wedding venues, including everything from ancient castles to beach-side hotels. Our region is also home to talented wedding headpiece and hair comb designer Rosie Willett. Here, we chat with the designer to get the inside gossip on 2017’s wedding trends.

  1. Tell us about Rosie Willett Designs — how did you get into designing wedding headpieces?

My love for designing bridal headbands really stemmed from my time at Northumbria University, where I studied fashion marketing. I met with a lady from a local bridal boutique who loved the designs, so she started taking orders from her brides for me. After graduating with my degree, I decided to launch Rosie Willett Designs as a full-time business as I loved it too much to give it up.

2. Is it difficult to keep your ideas fresh? What inspires your creations?

I never really switch off when it comes to designing — it’s more than just a job. In fact, it’s actually more difficult to stop myself from designing! I sometimes just have to do a quick sketch and file it away until it’s time to release a new collection.  

Nature and flowers are hugely influential on my designs. I look at the way leaves form along a stem and the delicacy of petals. I am also inspired by current wedding dress trends and I’m particularly interested in fabrics such as delicate lace and embroideries. The patterns in these fabrics can often inspire patterns and shapes in my bead work.

3. Do you have a favourite headpiece?

I may be a little biased but my favourite design is the Rosie wedding hair vine, which I created for my own wedding. The hair vine is secured at the back with a comb, with the ends crossing over at the side of the head. It’s an unusual design made in rose gold with silk, lace and mother of pearl flowers in shades of ivory, blush and coffee. Swarovski crystal adds delicate sparkle, along with freshwater pearl for a natural and bohemian look.

4. How long does it take to make each of the headpieces?

It’s difficult to say, as the time largely depends on the level of detail they include. The most elaborate headpiece in the collection takes approximately 10 hours to make, as it contains 25 individually hand-stitched petals.

5. There are so many styles to choose from. What advice would you give to brides who are looking for their perfect hair accessory?

Keep your overall look in mind. Hair vines and forehead bands are ideal for romantic and bohemian styles, whereas side tiaras create a more glamorous look and a traditional tiara looks very classic.  

6. Have you noticed any wedding headpiece trends for 2017? What are the popular styles?

In 2017, we’ve seen brides wear hair vines in new ways, creating fresh looks. Rose gold is also a huge trend this year.

7. What is the best part of your job?

I really enjoy working on bespoke designs. Of course, I also love to hear how happy my brides are with their headpieces and see photographs from their wedding days.

8. Any insider tips to minimise headpiece-related stress on the big day?

Always leave enough time for a hair trial and have a back-up style in mind in case things aren’t as you expected. I would also advise taking your headpiece to at least one dress fitting to ensure it complements the dress. Ask a bridesmaid to carry a travel size hairspray, comb and some kirby grips in their bag for hair touch ups throughout the day.

9. If you could sum up your creations in three words, what would they be?

Exquisite, handmade, stylish.

10. Give us your trend predictions for 2018.

Pearls will be big in 2018, especially at Rosie Willett Designs. We’ll use our delicate signature style to create bohemian combs and vines in new lengths and widths. We are also working with new crystal shapes and structures to create pieces with a luxurious regal feel, giving a glamorous twist to classic style.

By Emily