Rachel Drewer Millinery

In the May issue Hampshire Life have done a lovely fashion feature called Hat Tricks, showcasing the work of Hampshire milliners.  In the article I share insight into the inspiration for my designs, and tips on how to choose and wear a hat.  I was really excited to see my Horizon design as the cover for the fashion section and the article.  The magazine also features a piece about Alresford’s annual Watercress Festival, and there’s a photo of the crowns I was commissioned to make for the Watercress King & Queen.

My beautiful client Amy wanted a classic straw hat for Henley Royal Regatta that would work with different looks.  This bespoke design is the perfect understated accessory, Amy was delighted with the elegant wide brim and I love how she styled it with this fresh summer outfit.  And it was so exciting when she was photographed by Vogue!

Frank the Labrador and I featured in the March 2013 issue of Hampshire Life as journalist Natalie French interviewed me about my work and how I came to be a milliner.  The feature focussed on Hampshire women who have set up clothing related businesses, and I was delighed to appear together with the No 1 Dress Agency, Little Hampshire and Hampshire Wardrobe.

British actress Olivia Grant modelled for this shoot at Newbury Racecourse, showcasing winter racing fashion ahead of the Hennessy Gold Cup.  The images featured in The Mail on Sunday’s YOU Magazine.  My ‘Two Thousand Guineas’ design was the perfect match for this Thomas Pink jacket.

See the full shoot online: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2236275/Fashion-Fillies-flutters-firm-favourites.html

I was delighted to speak with Andrew Peach on the BBC Radio Berkshire Breakfast Show and share some tips on how to wear your hat in the wind and rain forecast for Royal Ascot.

This profile piece appeared in the Hampshire Chronicle, focussing on my journey from corporate career girl to millinery student.

Ali Kefford wrote: “It takes guts to jettison a familiar – and lucrative – City job to pursue a dream.  And there are, of course, myriad reasons why someone would take a deep breath, wave goodbye to financial certainty and become a millinery student.  But, in the case of Rachel Drewer, one of the factors in her life-changing decision was Hampshire.  When she and her husband, James, moved to East Stratton in 2009, her head was turned by the countryside that surrounds the village near Alresford.”

I was interviewed by the lovely Ali Kefford for Hampshire Society magazine.  Local girl Sophie Winterson kindly modelled some of my designs for an impromptu shoot.

Beautiful bride Hayley Savage chose a bespoke headpiece for her vintage inspired wedding at the Clock Barn, Hampshire, which was featured in Hampshire Life Magazine.  The headpiece was a striking single tea rose in silk dupion with birdcage veil, which complemented her lace Benjamin Roberts dress and wonderful blonde curls.  You can read more about Hayley’s headpiece here.

For three whole years Katie Mackay wore a different outfit every day, and was photographed by her boyfriend Joe Sinclair for their famous fashion blog What Katie Wore.  Just before their sartorial adventure ended, I lent Katie the Cadenza hat from my Limelight Collection to wear to her friend’s wedding.  She wore it in the style she for which she became known, with super bright colours and eye catching lines, in this case a beautiful Matthew Williamson dress and an Yves Saint Lauren coat.  Truly fabulous, darling.

Follow this link to read the post: http://www.whatkatiewore.com/2011/12/09/taken-in-county-wicklow/

I gathered together some fashion friends for a decadent deco-inspired shoot at Hill Place, a picture perfect wedding venue in the Hampshire countryside.  The shoot, entitled ‘Bright Young Things’, showcased designs from my ‘Radiance’ bridal collection, and was featured on Love My Dress wedding blog.

You can read the full post here: http://www.lovemydress.net/blog/2012/04/rachel-drewer-millinery-bright-young-things-2012.html