I am sure the 40's Styles are coming our way again..... Hope so

I was at a car boot sale last week and saw a lady wearing the same hair style as the woman top left of this post and it reminded me so much of my mother, my mum told me when she rolled her hair she used cotton wool inside one of her stockings to give the hair a lift. I love these dresses and I would definately wear either of them  but particularily the one on the left.

I love the jumpsuits and that suit with the V panel front is just stunning, and lastly the gorgoeus Betty Grable with her fabulous hairstyle. Looking at this made me sad I cut my hair, but with my very curly hair I dont think I could ever have the patience to try to tame it enough to get it to look so stylish. Do you have a favourite era?

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If you want to get a Hat

Caussade is a small town in the heart of south-west France, in the green valleys of the Midi-Pyrenees, about 70 kilometres north of Toulouse. It’s known as la capitale du canotier (capital of the straw boater hat). Their long hat-making tradition started with Perrette Gleye (better known as Petronille), who was born in 1770. Whilst tending her sheep, Petronille came up with the idea of assembling pieces of straw to make hats. She began weaving straw hats by hand for her family. Having 13 children she was an extremely busy lady …  ! Later, she made hats for her neighbours. In 1796, she installed the first hat-making workshop, and an industry was born. The button hat above is from 2011 and not my favourite despite the buttons but had to include her.

To celebrate, there’s a hat festival every July. It’s dedicated to all hats – whether made of straw, wool, felt, fur, leather or even paper. Pretty much anything goes!

There’s a wonderful atmosphere and sitting in the cafe this morning I saw people wearing all sorts and styles of hats and just for a few days it’s truly is a feast of hats. Everybody wears a hat – in fact, it’s compulsory – there’s a 1 Euro fine if you’re not wearing one, I wasn't though and never got fined! Everywhere you look there are stands where hat designers are proudly displaying their work. 

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Happiness is................

Two full days with Poppy and we had a great time, baking a cake for her brother's birthday to her trying on just about everything she could lay her hands on  in a store  when we went shopping.

Well there are more but............. now I must get my holiday pics on to let you see, soon I promise.

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ForgottenMuse

This has to be one of the most elegant shops I have come across on Etsy, with stunning photography and a fabulous variety of wonderful vintage items ranging from the 1940's upwards.  Beautiful hats, coats, dresses and many accessories.  Pop over to her shop and  feast your eyes, this is just a taster and I wanted to add them all but.......



ForgottenMuse Etsy
ForgottenMuse Facebook

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La Mode Illustrée 1886

Sunday and another vide grenier and to my delight, thanks to my DH as he was looking at a vintage set square, he called me over to have a look, no idea why he thought I would find it interesting! But so glad he called me over, for on the floor in a box was a journal of a full year’s worth of La Mode Illustrée which was dated 1886. The journals were sold each Sunday for 25cents and each issue featured a description of Victorian fashions and related accessories. So I will share some of the wonderful plates in this journal. I have taken a selection of hats for this one but there are many other fabulous finds in here so do come back to see some more.

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"A Feather in Our Cap" Chateau Dumas Giveaway Workshop 2011

People think I must be a skilled milliner because of the three hat-making classes I organise every year, but the truth is I wouldn’t know where to begin. Fortunately, though, I know a Man Who Can! Enter Dillon Wallwork, a milliner who oversaw the design and production of headgear for HM Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana amongst others and who has been the millinery tutor at Chateau Dumas for the past three years.  He’s even designed a hat for Kate Middleton."

Dillon is that rare thing. An accomplished and talented milliner, a patient and thorough teacher and an all-round nice guy – funny, charming and down to earth.


He’s often assisted by Adrian Howard who is the in-house milliner at Fortnum and Mason and the two together make a superb double act. I love my millinery weeks at Chateau Dumas, as much for the fun and laughter as the glorious hats that people make from felt, straw or sinamay. It’s so good to see people return and this year we have 3 budding milliners who’ve come back for a second to learn with Dillon.

So why millinery? Chateau Dumas lies at the heart of France’s hat-making region and it seemed an obvious workshop to run. Simple as that! There are three hat factories locally (among them Europe’s largest) and the very sweet International Hat Festival which takes place every year in July. We shall be taking our students down there again this July to soak up the atmosphere, gather ideas and encourage the inspiration to flow.

Hats off to Chrissie for inviting me to write about millinery at Chateau Dumas. Our prize draw will soon be over – Like to win a place on Dillions Millinery?

See  http://www.chateaudumas.net/ for details of the courses. Please leave your prefered cousre in the comment box of the blog to enter the giveaway – the winner’s name will be announced on 1 April on the original blog post here  http://bit.ly/hDCR2S .

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I Could Have Lost My Head at Chapeaux Willy's!!!

Well  to say that I was sorry to have missed the day trip to Chapeau Willy's is to say the least an understatement.   I did  however attend the textile course held in the beautiful Chateau Dumas,  but  I had to leave on the Wed  and the trip was on the Friday, still I will do it another time, definitely on my wish list. So come and have a virtual browse around with me.

Fortunately  Carolyn, a lady I met on the course did go to the hat factory,  and she  very kindly sent me some of her  pictures  so I could drool over at my leisure.

And here is the lovely Carolyn herself modelling  a Chapeau Willy hat and looking very pleased with herself!

Carolyn I might add made some wonderful things on the textile day at a speed that would leave you dizzy, from bags,skirts, lavender sachets and to many more for me to list.

 I also  discovered that Carolyn makes little dolls which she calls Fashionista Sisters and they are really  adorable, with such attention to detail and I love the outfits . Here are a few of her lovelies and if you want to see more or even purchase  go have a look at her website http://www.carrad.vpweb.co.uk/

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