I always loved arts and crafts... Years ago I did a 2 year sewing course; I used to sew a lot, but with time it just became easier and cheaper to purchase ready-made-clothes. I also compelted a ribbon emrboidery course, and taught myself brazillian embroidery and jewellery making. Ahhh if only I had the time... :)
Those of you who know me will also know that I also style hijabs for special occasions. I actually started off doing this while I was in Istanbul, Turkey. I had my own translation office, and downstairs there was a bridal salon. We became friends with the owner of the bridal salon, and soon I started to learn intricate beading using crystals and various other gems... I beaded many evening gowns, wedding dresses and veils... This became a hobby and some kind of therapy for me...
A while after getting the hang of it, I started to work "professionally" (I put this in quotation marks, because I was actually working professionally as a translator-interpreter, this was like a casual job) at the bridal salon as a hijab stylist. I did this for a little over a year until it was time to return to Australia... And coming back to Australia has not stopped me from continuing to style hijabs. :) It has now been well over 2 years since I started doing this...
To be honest, I have to say that I really love it as it helps me keep my creative side fresh. However, alike every other job, it does have its cons... but not many... One of the cons is getting up very early in the morning (as early as 5-6 am) if the client is the bride or in the bridal party... But even that is sweet in a sense, because you know that you are a very important part of the wedding preparations.
I have to say that the thing that I dislike most is when clients insist on something that I know and tell them that it would not look good at all. They realise the truth once it's too late, but yeah, it's just too late!
If you ever plan to have your hijab styled for a special occasion, an angagement, or wedding, make sure that the stylist is experienced and a professional. Ask them for examples (photos, videos, etc.) of their work - not photos of styles done by other stylists! If you are the bride, make sure you only work with someone that will offer a trial weeks before your wedding. Most important of all, if you are working with a professional, listen to them, trust them! If you can't trust them, then you shouldn't be working with them.
Now where did this post come from? I've been quite busy with hijab styling appointments the past few weeks, and I have come accross many who have practically forced me to do styles using the wrong fabrics, wrong colours, and wrong styles (wrong for them, their dress, the event, etc.). Then after everything is finished, they say, "I should have listened to you"... And just the other day, I had a bride call me for an appointment. Her wedding was in two days. She already had a hijab stylist, but she wasn't happy and comfortable with the stylist, so she asked me if I would accept her.
Normally, I never ever accept a bridal appointment any later than 3 weeks before the wedding, but I wanted to help her. No bride should be unhappy with her look on her wedding day. But she did not come to her trial appointment, so now I will not accept her. People accept too much from hijab stylists. If you want something superb you too need to help the process.
So anyway, I didn't take any photos of the last 8-10 styles for the simple reason that I did not like the styles... Upon this, I just sat and worked on a style on my mannequin head this evening... I will share this style and a few more below. However, I would like to note that, all the styles that are done from the back can be done in a way to cover the neck and chest. The real life photos are purely the personal choice of the clients, and most are for ladies only events. So, please do not write negative comments (any negative comments will definitely be removed). We should judge ourselves before judging others.
I know that for some, these styles are over the top, but everybody has different taste. Some like to have their hijab more on the plain side for a special occasion, while others prefer to have something special designed to suit the occasion...
This green hijab lined with black lace is the style I worked on this evening. All the others were done within the past year...
A bridesmaid...
