Kitty Andrews Millinery

Easter bonnets and spring have put us in the mood for millinery, and we are agog at the extravagantly sculpted, yet surprisingly affordable offerings from Kitty Andrews.

If you prefer something a little more understated, perhaps a pillbox:

The one on the left would be a delightfully demure, mod alternative to a veil, no?

And wouldn't this be just decadent to wear to a Derby party:

Enjoy more gorgeous designs this season on the Kitty Andrews Millinery site.

Topsy Turvy's Fabulous Hats!

We always love an excuse to don a smart hat (don't you wish someone would bring back that trend? We do!).   The charming, vintage-inspired chapeaux from Oakland-based Topsy Turvy make us wish that hats were a de rigeur fashion accessory!

This Oh-So-Flirty Cocktail Hat was modeled after a vintage headpiece found at the flea market dating from the 1950's.

We love this sassy, burlesquey number...

Kim Brown-Dye, the sometime costumier & full-time milliner behind Topsy-Turvy makes a wide range of beautiful hats, with nods to a wide variety of eras and suitable for everything from a swank evening out to an outrageous costume party.  She builds each one from scratch using buckram & wire construction which is then covered & trimmed using the finest materials & hand finishing.

The Evelyn - Victorian Top Hat...makes us want to don our riding habits, slap on the side-saddle and ride off into the sunset!

Who wouldn't want to have an excuse to channel Marie Antoinette?

Leopard print pillbox!  So rock-a-billy fabulous!

Leather Bell Hop!

Rhinestone Mini Top Hat! Glittery!

Ah, glittery AND feathered...who can resist?  We are positively swooning - if only we could have one of each!

Check out a video on Kim's studio and her hat-making here!

Jennifer Behr

We caught up with the charming and stunningly talented Jennifer Behr this weekend - she was visiting San Francisco from her native New York for a trunk show at Neiman Marcus. Formerly the lead hair accessories designer at Frederic Fekkai, Ms. Behr launched her own collection in 2005 and has already garnered acclaim from fashionistas around the world (including style icon Natalie Portman). Her designs are perfect for everyday, as well as for weddings and parties - we want to own every piece! Check out her gorgeous collection here.

The Designer Wedding Show

Most bridal fairs tend to be overwhelming, replete with bad wedding singers and puff-sleeved bridal wear, so we generally try to avoid them like a bride-to-be avoids Ben & Jerry's. We make an exception for London's Designer Wedding Show, held this past weekend in Battersea Park.

The Designer Wedding Show is a wonderful feast/fantasy for the bride-to-be, and a tolerable weekend afternoon for grooms. (Note: We have suggested that the organizers add a groom's salon, where one can tip back a pint and watch football while the ladies try on gowns. We are still awaiting a response.)

Some highlights: gorgeous wedding flowers and table centrepieces from eminent florist Jamie Aston; exquisitely detailed gowns by Sassi Holford and Barcelona-based coutourier Pronovias; fun, 50's-inspired frocks by relative newcomer Candy Anthony (who herself is a traffic-stopping style icon); effortlessly elegant gowns by celeb couturier Bruce Oldfield; and stunning hats by our favorite London milliner, Rachel Trevor-Morgan. Of course, we were there, too debuting our latest custom designs for our letterpress wedding invitations.

The next show is in October 2008 - mark your calendars!