Jane Bea
Founder and Creative Director
A warm welcome
to my design world
Welcome to my creative world! I passionately believe in imaginative and elegant design is for everyone to enjoy.
When you come into my world we will discuss what you like, what is your style or do you want a new look?
"Making you the centre of the design is always my goal."
Whether you have a formal, classic or a more modern take on trends, using clean lines, sustainable materials, vintage fabrics, lace, silks, beads and more, the choice is yours.
For an event such as Royal Ascot we take the theme of your dress and compliment it with a headpiece or hat, working with you to complete the look.
For weddings we weave your love story into memories, whether you’re the radiant bride, steadfast bridesmaid, or wise mother. Seasonal choices, vibrant hues, and timeless elegance create a day that’s truly special.
Making to commission, I also have a selection to choose from if you are in a hurry.
We also restore and redesign family heirloom headdresses or reinvent them, and along with vintage hats ensure each item is carefully preserved for the next generation.
About Jane
"There are three responses to a piece of design,
- yes, no and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for"
Milton Glaser
Jane has spent over thirty years in the creative industries, designing, creating couture and passing on her skills to others. She has been featured in magazines, on radio and television and has created for runways and the theatre.
After a house move prompted a change in direction, she opened Olivia Bea Designs a haven for couture millinery, where expertise and insights into creative business development converge.
A high achiever throughout her career with award winning designs and caring customer support, she is always on the hunt for excellence and fresh ideas. She has continued her professional development with a number of national and internationally recognised, institutions, milliners and craftspeople. She holds a Licentiateship of City & Guilds London Institute LCGI, is a member of the British Millinery Association since its inception and Heritage Crafts who promote and help conserve historic British crafts.
"I gave Jane a photo of my dress and she matched the colours perfectly. She used a mix of colours and textures to produce a totally unique and beautiful headpiece. It was absolutely stunning!"
Ruth L.
Testimonials
"On my first appointment I was able to try out different styles and shapes. Loved playing with colours and the different flowers and ribbon trims. Completely at ease we came up with the perfect combination. A beautiful hat and I had so many compliments"
Sarah D.
"So much care and attention to detail taken with our family heirloom headpiece. Beautifully restored and ready for the next generation. Grandma was moved to tears when she saw it.
Thank you."
Anna S.
Take a look
THE DESIGN ROOM
"Where ideas blossom into carefully
handcrafted beautiful creations,
that perfectly match your style."
We start with an informal chat about what you need. Is it a hat, headdress, veil, or a fabric design that is totally your own for that special occasion?
An appointment is then made, if you are happy to continue, where we progress to a more formal discussion which usually takes about one and half hours. Here we establish dates and times, collecting inspiration on the way. This may be your choice of colours, fabrics and design ideas, or hat shapes etc.
For example if a hat or headpiece, you will be able to try on a variety, and with expert guidance you will be sure to find the right one to compliment your look.
If you wish to create a totally bespoke look, a unique fabric design, echoing heirloom jewellery to be worn, embroidered flowers, initials etc, or a more contemporary, the choice is yours.
Samples are then sent to you for approval. For more information regarding costs please contact us directly. As a guide price hats and headpieces are between £150 to £900. Fabrics start at £45 per metre.. .
Couture Millinery
Whatever the occasion or season we can create a hat, fascinator, flower crown, hair vine, or comb to suite everyone and every occasion. These can be further matched with our bespoke fabrics if desired. We also restore vintage bridal headwear and hats, whatever the occasion we are here to help you enjoy a perfectly styled day!
Natural and dyed straws, sinamay and felts are used for millinery creations along with a variety of trims vintage and bespoke.
New this Autumn, we have a sample collection of hats and bases to choose from should you wish to hire and style.
At this time this service is only available in Hampshire, UK.
Fabrics
Why not indulge your most creative side and let us design and make a fabric which is totally yours. We can now create fabric designs just for you. Using luxury textiles such as silk organza, velvet and embroidered cottons together with repurposed fabrics, creating further surface interest with embroidery and beads when desired, thus making your couture items totally exclusive.
Now you can have that bespoke designer look to perfectly co-ordinate with your hat or headwear.
Work with us to create your one of a kind fabric design or embellish a luxury fabric with initials. Whenever possible we use natural and sustainable materials such as silk, cotton and linen to give each creation a luxurious fine finish for the wearer. We also re-purpose beautiful vintage laces and embroidered fabrics to create a distinctive one of a kind look.
Sustainability is important to us!
Using exquisite and sustainably sourced fabrics, the delicate and elegant designs come to life under skilful hands. We offer a redesign service as part of our process for hats and headpieces,
We also repair and redesign heirloom headdresses and hats so that those special items become happy memories for another generation
A Note About Our Bespoke Design Process
We at Olivia Bea Designs want you to feel amazing and confident when stepping into the spotlight at that special event. We create beautiful hats, and luxury fabrics and headpieces which perfectly fit you and your style whatever the season. It will be that certain colour shade or shape that suits you best, solving any worries about looking perfect on the day.
We take inspiration from you, your style, a family heirloom, a favourite photograph or dress design that you have fallen in love with. Its a starting point for us to create something uniquely beautiful and very special for you.
Trends are constantly changing and we have that in mind when designing for you. Just remember that the colour needs to complement your skin tone as well as your look and we can help with that too. Any colour or shade can be dyed to match your ensemble perfectly. For hats and headpieces your face shape should also be considered, again we can guide you to create a stunning effect.
Note: We are also more than happy to work with your dressmaker for that show stopping look if that is what is needed! You are always at the centre of our world, from initial consultation to final delivery, we work closely with you to create a truly personalised design experience!
Below are some starting points to help you with ideas for colour and theme or style.
You can build your own colour board/mood board if you wish to start your journey to inspired design. Do bring it with you when you visit us, it can be digital or physical we don't mind!
Olivia Bea Designs
Skills and Business
Academy
Welcome to the Academy where clarity meets creativity, and business dreams and ideas become a reality.
Are you a budding creative entrepreneur, ready to turn your skills and passion into profit?
Knowing the right steps to creating that business or side hustle is essential, but where do you start? Navigating the entrepreneurial landscape can be daunting. The buzzwords, the digital cacophony is enough to make anyone’s head spin. The Academy is here to demystify the process. No jargon, no noise just crystal-clear steps tailored to your creative business journey.
Many of the online learning and support programmes are more general and are aimed at coaches and trainers, digital online businesses and quite honestly, they don’t always start at the VERY beginning. I know I’ve been there, trying to piece together a creative business can take many months.
Why Your Own Business?
Owning your own business gives greater freedom, flexibility, and balance to your life, allowing you to dictate when you work, you are the boss. If you need more time with your family then that is the reason, or you may want to travel more, as a digital creator you can!
Creatives have a unique journey ahead of them, and we’re not a one-size-fits-all. We’re the artisans, the visionaries, the ones who thrive on bringing ideas to life. Whether you’re crafting physical products or weaving digital dreams, our clear guidance is focused on you, your passion. It’s all about unlocking your creative potential. However that has its challenges!
So where do you actually START?
The First Steps to Business programme takes you right from the beginning, coming up with your ideas, to making it happen. In small bite size, easy to digest steps or as we like to call them 'Elements'.
Starting at the VERY beginning you will build your knowledge enabling you with confidence to go forward into a business you will truly love. These steps or Elements are built around your ideas and goals, expanding into a multi stream revenue if you wish. The journey is yours to take in whatever direction you choose.
If you would like to know more why not sign up for our Newsletter or join our Facebook community @oliviabeadesignacademy where I will be giving more information, FREE resources and updates on my design world.
You can also complete our contact form and I will be in touch!
I look forward to meeting you and helping your business ideas develop.
Best wishes
Jane Bea x
Course Information Section
Please Note this section is under construction.
To register your interest for the following courses please email: support@oliviabeadesigns.com
Practical Skills for Bridalwear
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Three beautiful bridal headpieces
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Veils making and attaching to a simple headdress
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Halos and how to make them with and without a block
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Working with specialist bridal fabrics
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An introduction to corsetry - first steps to a perfect fit design and pattern making
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Bridalwear - shapes, trends, colours - creating your own style.
Academy - Business Skills
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First Steps to start your own creative business. This is meant in the first instance for those planning and preparing their own wedding and those supporting them. This is the first in a series online and in person.
Further Information
Will be available shortly re dates and times, in the meantime if you have any suggestions for courses you would like to take part in from cake making to wedding invitations and planning, please let me know in an email.
Thank you for your support whilst this part of the business is being set up.
I look forward to meeting you soon.
Jane x
Course Information
We offer three ways to access courses
Online via Zoom classes with no more than 6 attendees at a time to enable close observation and support. These will be recorded to access. Time length of access to be advised depending on workshop or course.
In person at the studio or at another suitable location. Maximum class sizes 6 to 8.
Personalised either in person or via Zoom. These are tailored to meet the needs of the delegate(s).
Register You Interest
From time to time we might ask you to register your interest before we set the dates.
This may be because it is a new course and we would like to ask for feedback on what you would like us to put in the course. For example personalised or specialist courses.
Venue
Online or in person at the Studio or at another suitable location.
Costs
Fees vary dependent on the workshop or course chosen.
Materials required
Practical Materials for online courses are not provided at this time.
In person courses – materials are provided.
Other Detailed Information
This varies with each course and will be sent out via email after enrolment and before the start of each course.
If you have any queries please do contact us and we will be pleased to answer any questions you have.
Help with online access
It is advisable to ensure you have a good internet connection and are able to access the platform offered eg Zoom. Also you are in a quiet space in order to avoid distractions and ask questions and talk with other delegates if desired. We want you to get the most from every course taken.
Please check your audio and visual links before joining any course. Limited technical advice can be offered but we cannot remotely connect to your device to check connection issues.
Most courses will be recorded for you to access for a limited time period to be advised.
A little more about Jane…
Along with multiple professional design and creative qualifications, Jane also has extensive business knowledge and experience in management, education, teaching and training.
A graduate of Warwick University, she is always keen to extend her knowledge. A Distinction in Project Management and Managing Change from Coventry University, followed by a deep dive into online training, and marketing. Using a variety of digital programs has added to her expertise. She is always happy to share her knowledge and has worked with a number of organisations and small businesses to successful conclusions. She has worked with the Coventry and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, The Enterprise Scheme, UK-Government’s Skill Share scheme and more recently has been onstage at the Surrey Chamber of Commerce, Surrey Business Expo in Guildford.
Ways to Get in Touch
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