Wat-Not Staff
At the high point in her career as Britain’s most lauded milliner, Jess Collett put all her hopes on a dramatic tiara she was preparing for Kate Middleton to wear at King Charles’s coronation. Much was said over whether the Princess of Wales would wear a traditional tiara, but Collett knew it from the very beginning. “It was a tiara I made for the princess inspired by my design ‘The Golden Crown, ‘”she points out.
The tiara was made of silver tulle leaves, with crystals added in hand-embroidered detail. Apart from the public, the artist’s family loved it: they managed to catch the coronation at home. Her children “marvelled at the sheer spectacle of it all,” saying, “Mum, it looks really good.” For Collett, this was an important moment among many proud moments: “It just feels like a celebration of 27 years of hard work since I started my business through a loan with The Prince’s Trust.”.
From Dreams to Reality: A Full Circle Moment for Collett
Collett began her career with a small loan from The Prince’s Trust, a charity that King Charles now heads. To her, the coronation job felt like destiny. “The feelings from that day still affect me when I remember it,” she said, not knowing if she’ll ever reach such a career peak again.
This was Collett’s first collaboration with Princess Kate, and she hopes to work with her again. Reflecting on it, Collett remains optimistic, saying, “Next time, she’ll wear the actual crown.” The tiara, made with precision and grace, showcases Kate’s daring style and Collett’s expertise in her craft.
A New Chapter: Collett’s “I Feel Space” Collection
After the successful coronation ceremony, Jess Collett continues to realign herself with the stars. Her Autumn/Winter 2024 collection is entitled “I Feel Space,” drawing inspiration from the Aurora Borealis. The collection contains 47 pieces-from veiled berets to stunning trilbies-with designs that echo the beauty of the night sky.
This work shows that Collett has plenty of creative spirit left. While she constantly designs stunning pieces, she is cementing her place at the forefront of British millinery, with an increasingly prestigious list of clients. Be it a tiara for an aspiring queen or a crown expressing abstraction about celestial wonders, her work shines throughout.
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