It's been a busy few months and I've just realised that I have yet to share our exciting news about being an award winning hat shop! Towards the end of November we were invited to attend The Arun Business Partnership Awards at Fontwell Park Race course as our business, Isabella Josie, had been nominated for two awards. The Arun Business […]
Goodwood Revival is one of my most favourite annual events. Goodwood Revival is about more than the motor racing, it is about old school glamour, the opportunity to dress up in period outfits and the chance to walk into a ‘live’ film set at every turn. As a local West Sussex milliner, Goodwood and its annual events are a key […]
I am very lucky to be able to say that I have learnt my millinery foundations from the great Rose Cory. Rose is often referred to as the “Milliners Milliner” and during her forty year career and has made fabulous hats for many celebrities including the late Queen Mum. This post is my personal record / memory jogger of how […]
Are you ready for some daisy love? Our crochet daisies are really easy to make – the hardest thing is working out what to do with all your flowers. Will it be some bunting, a bookmark, door curtain or retro belt and headband? You will need some yellow, green and white yarn (if you would like yellow and white daisies). Check the […]
For my quick and easy rolled brim beanie hat grab yourself some double knitting yarn and a pair of knitting needles (check the back of the yarn to see the recommended size.) For my beanie hat I am using a pair of 4.5mm needles and a variegated 'Crofter DK’ yarn at it gives you a Fair Isle effect without the hard […]
10 years ago I picked up my needles and began a blog called 'The Stitch Sharer'. After a day in the office I found that being able to create something with my hands gave me a great sense of achievement. Whether it was a crochet hook, knitting or sewing needle, the rhythmic nature of each stitch and focus needed to […]
After several years of hat chat and lots of hat making I've finally summoned up the courage to give up my day job as an education adviser and become a full time milliner. Without the encouragement of my friends, family and clients, both past and present, I wouldn't of had the self-belief to take this huge step and I can't […]
If you are a follower of my blog you will know I love vintage fashion. I think it's the nostalgic glamour of the 1940s / 50s that attracts me the most and the opportunity to wear a hat as an everyday accessory. Rather than focus on the Goodwood Revival racing, I thought it would be fun to share an insiders […]
I have some very exciting news! On Friday 28th May I am opening a hat shop in Arundel, West Sussex! My hat shop will be on the first floor of Retroesque, which you can find in The Old Print Works Shopping Arcade on Tarrant Street. I am delighted to be joining Victoria at Retroesque with her fabulous range of retro […]
Our headbands have had some celebrity attention with Charlotte Hawkins (of Good Morning Britain and Classic FM fame) sharing a beautiful photo of her and her daughter wearing our handcrafted headbands. Charlotte is wearing one of our reversible headbands and her daughter is wearing a matching headband from our Bow range. It's such a gorgeous photo of them both and […]
If you have picked up a magazine or popped into a hair accessory shop, you will of noticed the growing trend of chunky padded headbands. From a milliners point of view, it's great to see headwear being worn as an every day fashion staple. It has been great fun designing the headbands for my pop up shop in Bosham Walk […]
This time last week Goodwood Revival was in full swing. Thousands of people were dressed in their finest vintage outfits at the famous historic motor race meeting. At Goodwood Revival, you will find me soaking up the atmosphere at the fairground, marketplace or watching the dancing - there is so much to see. My 'must-go' to place is the Earl […]
Hello from a very excited Isabella Josie. I'm delighted to announce that our handcrafted bridal headpieces are featured on the front page of ETC south magazine!
With the racing season in full swing, I thought you might like to see a few photos from my first Ladies Day at Royal Ascot. It was an amazing experience with a brass band playing on the lawn, singing at the bandstand and a fashion feast for the eyes. Here are a few pictures of some my favourite hats, of […]
I hope you are all having a fabulous and very sunny Easter weekend. It's such a beautiful time in the garden seeing the flowers spring into life. A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to see some amazing handcrafted flowers at The London Hat Week's X Terrance ' World Garden' theme hat exhibition. Here are a few of […]
February has been a very exciting month here at Isabella Josie Millinery. If you have recently checked out the 'shop' section of my website, you will see that it has been updated with some beautiful photos of my hats and headpieces.
Check out our top hat wearing tips! A hat is a stylish accessory that frames your face, it flatters and protects. A hat can give you confidence and transform an outfit, it makes a statement about how you are feel and who you want to be. So how do you find one the right hat for you? When choosing a […]
