Loosely woven into the photographs taken here at Netherhampton House was the spirit of 70's fashion brand 'Biba'. The style of our shoot was the brain child of Karen Lockyer and myself. We wanted to encorporate the rich colours of the season, deep plums, rich browns and luxurious blacks paired with bold patterns. This collection of hats crafted in velvets, brocade, fur and leather range from wide-brimmed floppy styles to chic pillboxes, often featuring feathers, veils, or sparkly detailing.
These hats, like Biba clothing, exuded a sense of gothic glamour and playful rebellion. Women of the 1960s and 70s were pushing against the confines of gender roles, and fashion became a crucial form of self-expression. The orchestrated poses of the stunning Arabella, bought out of modelling retirement to help a friend are reminiscent of the unapologetic vibe of Biba, sensual, strong and straight down the barrel.
The Biba customer was young, modern, and daring - fortunately these days, age is just a number and a women is encouraged to dress as her heart desires! She wants to make her presence known, and these statement hats provide just the way to do that. Like women of the time this shoot embraces a freedom to express oneself without adhering to outdated ideas about how a women "should" look.
My hats, like most hats offer women a way to play with her identity. The Tara O'Callaghan Millinery brand has a fantasy-like quality, with its mix of Bohemian elegance and 1930s glamour, allowing women to slip into a world of their own creation. When a client wears my 'bespoke' hats, they are not just dressing for the day—they are adopting a character, whether that character be a romantic heroine, a sultry film star, or a bold adventurer.
For further information about how Karen and I collaborated on this shoot, please visit her website . I also look forward to hosting one of her 'Graceful Disgraceful' make-up workshops here at Netherhampton House, please click on the link to read more about these sessions.