It’s my pleasure to be joined today by Lauren Ritchie, creator of Melbourne-based Lauren J. Ritchie Millinery, to chat about today’s royal hats at Ascot!
Lady Helen Taylor joined the Queen in her carriage for today’s arrival in a dusky pink teardrop percher with dramatic pleated pouf and birdcage in net veil.
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Lauren Ritchie: Contrasting bows have been a feature in Ascot outfits this year. The contrasting and vibrant orange is the feature of this dress and it accessorised very well. The covered beret with draped tulle compliments the outfit and adds its own dramatic element of height without fighting for your eyes attention.
Royal Hats: Agreed! This hat does a great job of blending with the ensemble (and letting that orange bow sing!) while the tall tulle trim enables the design to hold its own.
Royal Hats: Lauren, what can you tell us about working with veiling net, such as an amount like this, on a hat? Does it require stiffening? What challenges come with working with this material?
Lauren Ritchie: Veilings can naturally be quite stiff, natural silk veilings respond well to steam and will hold their shape. Sometimes a veil can require a light stiffener such as hairspray and it is easy to spray once the veiling has been arranged.
Royal Hats: Hairspray?! That’s a surprise but it makes sense!
Lauren Ritchie:The cuts to the veil on Helen’s hat are clever with the pointed edge, leaving the tip light so it does not fall under its own weight. Holding it in place requires the use of tie tacks which are done in either a matching or clear thread.
Designer: Unconfirmed. Helen’s hats usually come from Stephen Jones.
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Helen’s husband, Timothy Taylor, and Peter Phillips rounded out the first carriage. The men both wore black felt top hats- some of the better felt designs we’ve seen on royal heads, I think.
What do you think of Lady Helen’s hat today?
Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 