#OhSoNatalie
Our monthly newsletter sharing Natalie’s favourite brands, the people behind them, and ideas about how we can go that little bit further with our creativity.
Jess Collett is a renowned milliner based in Notting Hill. Her vision and creativity for transforming hats, hairbands, and hair combs into sought-after accessories has no bounds. Jess’s sense of style and elegant designs captivate royalty, celebrities, and fashion elites, blending tradition with a modern edge.
Jess Collett is #OhSoNatalie
QUESTION 1
What is your favourite colour & why?
Green - I love green and especially trees - they are inspiring, living breathing things, so ancient and majestic with strong deep roots with flowering branches. It's calming to be in touch with nature. There are so many tones of green and my favourite shade to wear is emerald green with a gold accent!
I have just launched my AW collection 'I feel Space' which was born from seeing the Aurora Borealis earlier this year. Its exciting to see the development from conception, to creation, capturing the mood in a photo and finally seeing them on peoples heads. The best and most satisfying part is learning new techniques whilst developing ideas. But, it's also very nerve racking, the other side of exciting, because you never know quite how it will all be received. Fingers x.
QUESTION 2
What are you working on at the moment that you find exciting?
QUESTION 3
I love how you allow customisation to your fedoras and trilby - allowing customers to choose colour and ribbon.
Well I love the idea of a hat making you feel differently about yourself, especially if it has a bespoke element. It's unique to you. For me hats are transformative. So if the customisation and personalisation of a hat can help to achieve this, then I feel like I have done my job well. I want the whole process of buying a hat to be fun!
QUESTION 4
Where do you go for / what do you do for inspiration?
I love visiting museums and exhibitions, especially at the V & A. I listen to music and stories, working with friends - nothing is better than creating with others, I love collaborating, it feels organic and spontaneous.
My Grandmother Cuckoo gave me this wonderful antique Japanese hand painted screen with carp and beautiful birds and monkeys on it, which used to sit in her dining room. It has been in all my various work spaces and is the perfect backdrop to my hats and hides behind it all the messy side of creating! It gives my studio character.
QUESTION 5
Do you have a cherished object you would never part with? What is it & why?
Follow Jess Collett on Instagram @JessCollettMilliner
Portraits of Jess Collett by Dorrie Mcveigh