Graciously hosted by Eleanor Allen, the evening began with Pimms on her patio overlooking her beautiful, secluded garden. Before the talk began, we were able to wander through the bowers of roses, clematis, honeysuckle and sweet peas - an ideal setting to find out more about the delightful hats designed and handcrafted by Deborah Dalton.
She's an entertaining and quirky individual who described her transition from the world of educational drama and theatre to her new career as milliner.
The audience found the explanation and demonstration of the skills used in the creation of a piece of bespoke millinery very interesting. Those who had professed to not liking hats or never being able to find one to fit, realised with some relief, that the industry standard sizing of twenty two and a half inches was part of the problem.
She related some amusing anecdotes about the people she meets when sourcing materials - the almost medieval workshop of Boon and Lane in Luton where she came across beard blocks for the film 'Lord of the Rings', the milliner who made the little pink fascinator worn by the Queen when she 'jumped' out of the helicopter to open the Olympics, the film costumes made from fabrics purchased for The Berwick Street Cloth Shop.
At the end of the evening, we were invited to try on her samples. What a great dressing up session! Everyone was choosing and advising, posing for photos, exclaiming their surprise and pleasure and enjoyment! Gabrielle, who never misses an opportunity to be prepared for any occasion, took advantage of the sample sale to purchase the divine 'Left Bank Lipstick'. (Deborah had told us that when she is designing, she thinks of where her client may wear her pieces and makes up little stories about them! This lovely little hat had quite a saucy story - reflects Gabrielle's youth VERY well!)
There'll be not pretty little hats where we're going next! It's off to Geneva and the mountain stages of the Tour de France next week. Our men have admitted their plan and we shall have company in the camper van!
Till my next post.....allez, allez, allez!
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