Mad Hatters Tea Party At The Angel Hotel

Model wearing a stunning pure silk hand pleated dress by Charles & Patricia Lester

At the beginning of May we will be collaborating with The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. 

The Angel will be transformed ready to host high tea with a difference for one weekend only. For the event we ask that guests wear their most colourful hat from their collection. If you don't have a hat to wear then a visit to our cross street store is a must. From our vast array of classic and contemporary styles we will be sure to have something to suit your style. 

Five guests, who will be chosen at random prior to the event, will be given the chance to wear one of Alison's most spectacular millinery creations. 

Throughout the month of May we will also be giving preferential rates on purchases in store for tea party guests on presentation of their ticket. 

For Further details about the event and how to purchase tickets visit - www.angelabergavenny.com/mad-hatter

Our Ready-To-Wear Millinery Picks For Spring

Now that Spring has finally arrived we've chosen three key pieces from our Spring millinery collection perfect for wedding guests, race goers or even garden party attendees.

To suit the pastel tones that are featuring strongly in the current occasion wear collections, this floral fascinator, pictured above, is perfect. With the use of light fabrics and feminine floral detailing this delicate headband design is ideal for guests attending weddings throughout the spring and summer season. With our library of decorative details you also have the option of having a bespoke piece of millinery made, one that takes inspiration from this floral bouquet.

For those looking for a statement hat to become either the feature of a neutral tone outfit or as a complimenting accessory to a colourful garment, this cerise tone hat is ideal. With it's combination of strong colouring and soft draped floral detailing this hat presents a contemporary yet classic design. It's wide brim and curved crown provides a chic, sophisticated look that would be suited to a glamourous day at the races. 

This timeless neutral tone hat has a beautiful minimal design providing understated elegance. Outlined with a cream ribbon trim and band, this wide brimmed hat is perfect for providing shade from the sun during outdoor events.

To book an appointment in store for a occasion hat or fascinator call us on 01873 855923 or email enquiries@alisontod.co.uk.

Hats & Fascinators for All Occassions

For those of you searching for the perfect occasion wear hat here is a little more information about each collection. 

Prêt-à-Porter Millinery 

We have an extensive ready to wear collection of both hats and fascinators. Incorporating our luxurious style, each of the fascinators and hats in this collection are made using the most delicate fabrics. Perfect for wedding guests our impressive collection in our Abergavenny store allows customers to be able try on a range of styles in order to find out what compliments them and their outfit the best.    

Semi Couture Millinery

With our semi couture service we customise a hat of your choice from our Prêt-à-Porter range to suit our clients requirments. With the addition of beautiful details and trims from an extensive collection spanning years of Alison looking out for the charming and the unusual.  We have the ability to enhance the piece so that it maximises accent details of your chosen garments. We can often replicate certain elements from the garment such as the detailing and colour tone in order to have an accessory that is perfection. 

Couture Hats

This service involves the studio creating a one-off exclusive piece of model millinery for those who want to make a statement at an extra special occasion. During your first personal consultation with Alison we work out the style of hat which is best suited you, your event and your chosen outfit. Together we can decide on colour tones, fabrics and designs inspired by that of the garment in order to create a cohesive final look. In order to achieve an exact tonal match we offer an exclusive, unique service to dye millinery. The design is then created using meticulous craftsmanship and the finest quality materials in our studio resulting in the ultimate statement accessory.

Super Couture

This is for serious fashionistas. Alison using her 35 years of expertise will create a sensational show piece of millinery which will be entirely unique in concept and make, something that has not seen before other than gracing the international catwalks, a product of Alison's acclaimed dramatic imagination for those ladies who want to be pursued by the press at a public event.

We are unique as a millinery boutique offering this extraordinary skill set, talent and library of materials. For more information on any of the services we provide call us on 01873 855923 or email enquiries@alisontod.co.uk 

It is imperative that you bring your outfit so that we can match or contrast shapes and colours to the best effect. Please note appointments are advisable as we are a very busy studio. 

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas

We would like to say congratulations to Dame Kristin Scott Thomas who was recently honoured for her services to drama. Soon to play the Queen herself in The Audience at London's West End, Kristin Scott Thomas came face to face with Her Majesty when she recently accepted her dame-hood at Buckingham Palace. 

  

She opted for a classic sophisticated Navy coat and dress along with our pillbox hat which we dyed exclusively to match. We worked with her chosen garments to create a simplistically chic design that complemented the colour tone and incorporated her style.

For more information on our bespoke service please call us on 01873 855923 or email enquiries@alisontod.co.uk 

Hats for Ascot 2015

At last years Royal Ascot our customers hats caught the attention of the press, featuring in both Grazia & Daily Mail online. 

We work with all our customers individually to create an outstanding piece of millinery that will make them stand out from the crowds. We incorporate each customers style as well as taking inspiration from their chosen garment in order to create a totally bespoke piece. 

If you have found your outfit ready for Ascot 2015 you can book an appointment in our Abergavenny hat shop in order for us begin making the perfect hat to accompany it! 

To avoid disappointment please book an appointment by calling 01873 855923 or email enquiries@alisontod.co.uk

Here are some more of our hats that featured at Royal Ascot Ladies Day last year......

In The Press: Tiara Magazine Feature

In the current Spring issue of Tiara magazine you can find out more about Alison's story about how her business began in her exclusive interview. 

You can also find our blue fascinator featured on the outfit inspiration page. 

Mother Of The Bride Hats

Whether your looking for a traditional or statement piece of millinery for your daughters wedding, here at our Abergavenny hat shop you'll be sure to find something unique to compliment your chosen outfit.

Over the years we have worked with a number of ladies looking for their perfect Mother of the Bride Hat. By working closely with each client to find a shape which suits and feels comfortable we create a hat or fascinator that has an extra special tailored design. We use the client's outfit as inspiration for the design, achieving the same colour tone and finish, which allows both elements to compliment each other bringing the whole ensemble together. 

As Mother of the Bride, a hat is a must-have accessory as it allows you to stand out from the other guests while enhancing the elegant and sophisticated look of your outfit. With the Spring season fast approaching we have an array of delicate pastel tones hats to choose from that are suited to the current occasion wear trends for this year. 

We can take away the worry and stresses of finding a hat to match your outfit by creating a bespoke piece inspired by the garments that you have chosen. The beading, colour tone, fabrics and style can all be replicated within the design of your hat to create a spectacular piece that you will feel comfortable with. We also offer an exclusive dyeing service which allows you to give your hat a bespoke colour tone, one that mirrors the hue of your occasion dress or accessories. 

Here is a selection of the past Mother of the Bride hats that we have created over the years >> 

For further information on our Mother of the Bride service please contact 01873 855923 or email enquiries@alisontod.co.uk.  We will also be at Glanusk Wedding Fayre which is taking place on Sunday 29th March from 11am - 4pm. 

‘Regarded as an innovator in the hat world’ Harpers & Queen

Alison began with academic training in fashion & textile design completing A - Levels, Foundation, Degree, Post-Graduate and also an apprenticeship in London with the leading millinery businesses whose clients included Princess Diana, Lady Thatcher and Joan Collins as well as the leading retailers such as Simpsons of Piccadilly, Harrods, Libertys. She funded her studies by working at the prestigious Charles & Patricia Lester couture studio. 

Since established in 1990 Alison has won many awards including the accessory award at Westminster Palace, the Welsh fashion awards for both fashion & accessories, for spectacular one-off designs, and the supplier of the year award largest retail buying group in the country. She is also one of only a handful of Welsh designers selected to show their work in the official London Fashion Week exhibition adorning the heads of top models such as Erin O'Connor and Carmen Dell'orefice. Her hats will also feature at the Celtic Manor wedding fayre this weekend.       

'Alison Tod makes hats, but what hats! Each one is handmade, each a production of creative inspiration. I would class her as a sculptor.' David Hurn, Magnum Photographer 

‘Alison Tod is to millinery, as Julian McDonald is to knitwear’ Hillary Alexander, Fashion Editor, The Telegraph.

Alison's Abergavenny hat shop & studio attracts many talented and experienced individuals who are involved in the production of her designs. Some of whom are leading fashion and theatrical costumiers previously having worked with many a celebrity. Many girls who have worked for Alison in the past have gone on to progress within the fashion industry and have become senior mangers in retail head offices, have started their own fashion companies in London and have gone on to work in television costume departments. Students have gone on to study in top colleges such as London College of fashion, St Martins College of Fashion and Nottingham Trent as well as University of South Wales where Alison is a honorary fellow. 

‘Alison could design for Chanel or Dior tomorrow’ Ollie Picton Jones, Fashion journalist

Bespoke Millinery by Alison Tod

If you have a special occasion approaching whether it be a wedding, race-day or a Royal Garden Party then a visit to our hat shop in Abergavenny, South Wales is a must. 

As well as our ready-to-wear pieces we also offer a bespoke, couture millinery service, creating pieces which are tailored to both your outfit and style. Alison will work with you to design and create a truly outstanding piece that will transform your outfit. If needed we also have the exclusive ability to dye a hat so that it becomes an exact tonal match to your outfit. 

With our array decorative trims which include beads, feathers, flowers, bows and even luxury hand pleated & hand-dyed silk ribbons created by couture designers Charles & Patricia Lester, we will be able to create the ultimate statement piece of millinery allowing you to stand out from the crowd. 

We do advise that you bring your chosen outfit with you to your appointment as this allows us to match the colour tone, fabrics and style with your hat. 

You can book an appointment by calling us on 01873 855923 or emailing enquiries@alisontod.co.uk

Bespoke Bridal Fascinators

As well as creating hats for the Mother of Bride & Groom, wedding guests and many other special occasions Alison also creates spectacular Bridal fascinators tailored to your wedding dress. As something a bit different from a traditional veil, a bridal fascinator is perfect for adding a subtle detail to enhance the elegance of your wedding dress. 

Having something that is bespoke will make sure you have a headwear piece that is just as special as your dress. It will compliment the both the materials and style of the dress while also bringing a graceful finish to your wedding attire. Having a smaller detail will also be more practical allowing you to be comfortable throughout your wedding day.

Here are some examples of some of our past bridal fascinators........

   

To book an appointment or for further information please call 01873 855923