Jane Taylor is a luxury milliner based in Fulham. She has dressed the heads of the Duchess of Cambridge, the Countess of Wessex And other European Royals. Her work can regularly be seen on the pages of Hello magazine and Tatler. 

Her creations are whimsical and elegantly beautiful with a touch of vintage styling. Taking  inspiration  from taxidermy,  antique prints and couture designs. Jane Taylor’s hats are individually hand crafted to create three stunning collections- Couture, Ready-to-Wear (Taylor by Jane Taylor and Limited Edition by Jane Taylor) and Bridal. 

I am a milliner myself and was asked to assist in making the ready-to-wear range for the department stores. We had a tight deadline so I packed up my bags from Cornwall and off I went!

When I arrived I was thrilled to meet Lupin her adorable whippet (who was sporting a very jazzy jumper!)  Her studio is divided into two spaces, a ground floor show room housing her stunning collections and upstairs her working millinery studio where all the magic happens! 

In the studio was Jane, Raina who I met working at Philip Treacy’s, Katie -  Jane’s P.A, and Natalie and Kelly, both doing work experience. We set to, working on some feathered head pieces for House of Frazer, and we had twenty five of each style to make so we had to get cracking

There was lots to do over the course of the two weeks. Our daily tasks consisted of sewing sequined fabric onto fascinator bases, curling feathers, twisting crin into pretty shapes, sticking  Swarovski crystals and pearls onto veiling, wiring silk flowers onto headbands, blocking (molding) hat shapes and usually pricking our fingers with needles multiple times a day!

Jane started her business after completing a course in millinery at Kensington & Chelsea 7 years ago, starting her business from a rented room in Mortlake. Since then her business has gone from strength to strength and she is now known for her considered use of tonal colouring and dramatic shapes. So much so that this year saw orders from Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Fenwicks, Fortnum & Mason and House of Fraser.

My two weeks working at Jane’s was filled with laughter and fun, we made over two hundred hats which will be on the shelves in selected stores of House of Frazer within the month.

I’ll be back again to make more beautiful hats when there is another big order on ... who says you can’t mix business with pleasure!  

The past week has been madness, as we all rushed around preparing our studios and the house for the big launch do on 7th Feb.  It's preoccupied us all for the last month and the changes here have been incredible.  Superhuman efforts from all involved meant that everything was presented to utter perfection when at last, we were able to open our doors to all you eager folks keen to have a look-see and explore Princes House Cornwall.

Preparations were taking place right up until the last minute including the delivery of a fabulously luxurious sofa, curtain and dressing screen for our lobby area, styled and kindly provided by Debbie of Interior Dynamics.  It adds real panache to the hallway and is dead comfy as many guests discovered at the party later...

The day began for us with the Town Crier (Mr John Sweetman) travelling valiantly in the cold around Truro and calling all who heard him to come to the party that evening.  Holly followed and tweeted and videoed the whole affair.

Back in the day when a wedding was to be held, and they were much bigger community affairs than they are now, guests were invited in exactly this same way - with everyone within earshot being taken as invited to the ceremony.

We felt it was only fitting therefore to spread the word in this way and it certainly went down well when our Town Crier generously returned to hold the door for our many guests.

Speaking of which we had some 500 guests, yes that's right FIVE HUNDRED people came to see us.  Wow.  We are all totally blown away by the support you all showed us and the positive things that were said by many in reference to the Collective, the building, and the talented business who reside here.

Those who came were treated to a glass of bubbles supplied by the Truro based winery - Old Chapel Cellars or for the more robust among them, a pint of Cornwall's finest courtesy of Skinners Brewery just round the corner in Newham.  Massive thanks to them both for supporting us on our opening day.

Keith Kneebone, a professional Master of Ceremonies welcomed guests and made introductions before the lovely Daphne Skinnard, Deputy Editor of BBC Radio Cornwall (and newly made Deputy Lieutenant of Cornwall to-boot) kindly joined us to say a few words and introduce all the businesses to the guests on the night. You can see how crowded it was with people unable to move on the stairs or landings and backed up into all studios off the ground and first floors...   

Then the Mayor of Truro, Councillor Ms Lindsay Southcombe, officially cut the ribbon and everyone was free to explore the building and the hidden gems inside each inspiring studio.

Local boy Tom Cary an acclaimed singer / sonwriter played throughout the night adding some real atmosphere to proceedings which was appreciated by all, we are thankful and lucky to have had him to join us!

All in all it was a truly fabulous evening, one we will never forget and the best possible start to this exciting enterprise of which we are all so proud to be a part.  

On behalf of the Collective we'd like to publicly thank everyone who contributed to our evening including our guests for turning out, being interested and helping to really make the party happen!  We look forward to welcoming you into Princes House again soon.

On Thursday this week we'll announce the winner of our prize draw - entries close at midnight on Wednesday 13th so if you weren't able to make the launch do pop by and pick up a form - they're in the lobby and the building is now open every day from 9:30 - 5:30 for you to wander around and meet the suppliers!

Did you make the launch evening?  What did you think?

Just look at these beautiful big prints that Simon Burt took in our photo shoot adorning the walls of this incredible building... don't they look like they were simply meant to be there?

This is one tiny peek at the many faceted transformation of Princes House as the collective all work together to re-invigorate the building ready for the big launch party on Thursday night.

You currently can't move in the marble floored main hallway for boxes ... Capella's salon furniture was all delivered today, and boy is it luxurious and totally perfect for Sarah's transformation to the downstairs salon.  Such a dreamy environment in which to pamper and prettify for your special occasion, or just well - because!

Are YOU coming to the launch event?  What's this I hear, why not?  You're invited!

Just rsvp by emailing [email protected] or filling out the form here - and while you're doing that, we'll put the bubbles on chill :-)

See you on Thursday 7th Feb 6-8pm