About Just Fascinators and L J Designs

Lesley J Hennessey has a reputation for style, craftsmanship and individuality. Lesley has been producing handmade fascinators for nine years. Her unique collection is created using various raw materials including sinamay, crin, feathers, wired beads, crystals and spiral quills.
Bespoke commissions can incorporate any of the above as well as special requests and Lesley will work with clients to create their `dream` made-to-measure design. Lesley designed her first fascinator when a friend asked her to find an alternative to a hat for a wedding. The creation was greatly admired and started Lesley on the path to success in her chosen career. Lesley has since created items for many celebrities and most recently for a younger member of the Royal Family featured in Hello magazine.

LJ Designs standard fascinators are individually designed and hand crafted by a small and dedicated team. They are sold in fashion shops and boutiques in the UK and Ireland as well as internationally, including France and Australia.

The origin of the fascinator :
A fascinator is a headpiece, a style of millinery. The word originally referred to a fine, lacy head covering akin to a shawl and made from wool or lace. The term had fallen almost into disuse by the 1970s. In the early 21st century, the term has made a comeback, but the meaning has slightly changed; it is now used to describe a delicate, slightly-to-very frivolous head decoration worn almost exclusively by women.
A fascinator may be worn instead of a hat but to occasions where hats were traditionally worn -- such as weddings in the U.K. -- or as an evening accessory, when it may be called a cocktail hat. It is generally worn with fairly dressy attire. Modern fascinators are commonly made with feathers, flowers and/or beads. They attach to the hair by a comb, headband or clip. They are particularly popular at premium horse-racing events, such as the Grand National, Ascot, and the Melbourne Cup. Brides may choose to wear them as an alternative to a bridal veil or hat, particularly if their gowns are non-traditional.

The history of Millinery :
The word "milliner", a maker of women`s hats was first recorded in 1529 when the term referred to products such as ribbons, gloves and straws for which Milan and other northern Italian regions were well known. Haberdashers who imported these popular items were known as Milaners from which the word `milliner` eventually evolved.
The Catherinette Tradition - `Les fetes des Catherinettes` - is the French fashion world`s salute to milliners and their patron saint, Catherine of Alexandria. Sainte Catherine was originally the `patronne` of young unmarried women, but by the 19th Century the milliners had adopted her as their patron saint because so many young women were then employed as hat makers.
The advantage of wearing a fascinator is obvious. They are usually light, do not require a bulky box for transportation and can be worn at functions both indoors and outdoors affecting neither hairstyle nor outfit. Added to which they are chic and elegant, enhancing whatever outfit they are worn with. Those seeking irrefutable proof of the fascinator`s popularity need only look to the Royals for confirmation. The Duchess of Cornwall chose a fascinator for her marriage to Prince Charles while the Queen wore a fascinator at the wedding of her grandson Peter Phillips.

Just fascinators from L J Designs, the perfect hair accessory for weddings and special occasions.