Jennifer Behr hair accessories are some of the most stylish on the market right now. Everyone from Natalie Portman to January Jones to Maggie Gyllenhaal have worn the fascinators, headbands, clips, and mini veils she makes by hand in her Brooklyn studio. I recently caught up with Jennifer, and she had some great tips and interesting tales from her life as a designer. Check out all the styles of these "21st century crowns," as she refers to them, on her website.
SCB: Are you finding that alternatives to a traditional veil are becoming more and more popular?
JB: Yes, I originally ventured into the world of bridal headpieces because many of the editors we work with, also my friends, began asking me to make pieces for their weddings that were more modern than the accessories available to them in traditional bridal boutiques. We only did a few pieces at first, but now the market for sophisticated wedding hair accessories has grown tremendously. Bridal hair styles have also become softer and less "done", and brides are looking for headpieces that compliment this trend.
SCB: Why do you make your pieces by hand as opposed to a machine manufacturing process?
JB: Making accessories by hand is incredibly important to me. I believe anything created by hand carries a soul in it that resonates with people. I don't buy a lot of things myself, but when I do, I always buy pieces that I love and that are crafted perfectly; it's a real luxury to know how and where things are made. It's also important to me to preserve the handcraft method in the marketplace. We make everything by hand here in New York. It takes us hours sometimes to make each piece, but I think this dedication really shows -- because we do all the finishing in the studio, we can make things that industrial factories can't. Our crystal and chiffon pieces are stitched one by one, and many of our flower petals are curled by hand, with someone using a pair of tweezers so that each petal looks different!
SCB: Should certain types of dresses be paired with a particular style of hair accessory?
JB: Remember that headpieces are designed to frame your face -- they're the first accessory people will notice you wearing, well before they notice the shoes under your gown. So a bride should wear something beautiful that compliments her and looks natural in photographs. As with all accessories and jewelry, brides should try to find something that is in the spirit of their dress. If a dress is architectural and modern, she should look for a piece that has clean lines. Likewise, if a dress is fluttery and romantic, she should look for a softer hair accessory, like a chiffon piece. Of course, crystals go with almost everything!
SCB: Where did you draw inspiration from for your bridal collection?
JB: I collect materials and images wherever I go; I always have a design notebook with me. This season for bridal and the main collection we looked specifically at 1920's French photographs, the styles of the amazing carefree bohemians, which are incredible when re-interpreted for today.
SCB: What are some tips for choosing the right hair accessory for your face shape?
JB: Square and round faces tend to look great with headbands that are a bit wider to balance them out, while petite faces look best with thinner headbands. Also, remember that everyone will see you from the back as you walk down the aisle, so a silk flower is a great option for the ceremony. You can modernize the traditional headband by wearing it closer to the hairline, rather than pushing it all the way back. Let a few pieces of your bangs fall out, if you have them, so you look like your natural self.
Finally, be sure to pick a comfortable accessory. Cheap headbands with a rigid frame can give you a headache immediately, which will make you miserable for the entire night. Look for a soft head wrap with elastic in the back -- they're guaranteed to be comfortable, which will make you much happier, therefore, prettier.
From: Terry | 2/4/10 at 2:35 am
great tips on selecting the right head band or accessory for the type of face a person has. I have a very round face and have found it very hard to get anything to look good on my head!
From: I ♥ Jennifer Behr’s Lovely Headpieces | loveisabella | 3/5/11 at 3:04 pm
[...] created by hand carries a soul in it that resonates with people.” – Jennifer Behr, Martha Stewart Weddings (February [...]