The Design Consultation and Fitting are both held at The Rachel Skinner Millinery boutique in the historic county town of Lewes, East Sussex. Easily accessible from London by train, we are just a two minute walk from Lewes station.  Appointments are held in an exclusive closed settings at the boutique.  We also offer Virtual Appointments to those who are unable to visit the boutique. To make an appointment for Bespoke Bridal Millinery please submit the form below.

The bespoke process begins with a Design Consultation, where the specific details and requirements of your commission will be discussed. You will be invited to try several styles of millinery to gain further understanding of fit and styling. When a style has been chosen, further aspects can be discussed. You are welcome to bring a friend or family member along for their feedback. Following your design consultation, a Fitting will be scheduled. 

Every Rachel Skinner Bespoke Bridal Millinery design is hand blocked, shaped and sewn. Pieces can be optically dyed in custom colors to suit your outfit, and enhanced with individually cut, colored, shaped and sewn silk petals and adornments, and custom finishes such as hand manicured and dyed feathering, individually embroidered crystal and pearl beads or vintage brooches.

Every Rachel Skinner Bespoke Bridal Millinery design is hand blocked, shaped and sewn. Pieces can be optically dyed in custom colors to suit your outfit, and enhanced with individually cut, colored, shaped and sewn silk petals and adornments, and custom finishes such as hand manicured and dyed feathering, individually embroidered crystal and pearl beads or vintage brooches.

There is usually a space of between four and six weeks from the Design Consultation to the Fitting.

This time is essential because Rachel is a traditionally trained professional milliner. She uses intricate millinery techniques taught to her by Sir Frederick Fox - Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved ‘hatter’ in whose salon Rachel received her apprenticeship directly after graduating from The London College of Fashion. Rachel honors traditional methods of millinery craft and is an advocate of preserving traditional techniques, part of her mission as co-founder of the British Hat Guild.

When you arrive at your Fitting Appointment your bespoke millinery commission will be almost complete.  You will be invited to try on your hat or head piece for any final adjustments in size and detail. Unless your bespoke millinery commission requires an adjustment and further fitting, a final appointment will now be arranged for the collection of your finished millinery.

You can collect your commission at the Rachel Skinner Millinery boutique in Lewes or we can arrange for your hat, head piece or hair accessory to be delivered to your home or location. Either way Rachel will be on hand for final styling tips either in person in the boutique, or virtually by a video appointment.