Zara Gray

Creating bespoke hats & fascinators in Glasgow. Love dressing up and dressing others up.

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

@thane_black 🤣👌🏻

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

@tressiemcphd A therapist once told me that ‘no one else can make you feel a certain way.’ It troubled me and takes work and yet it’s true.

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

✨ On the workbench I’m playing with crystal beads patterns for a glam little felt hat 👀
#WorkInProgressShot #ALittleBitOfSparkle #AtelierLife

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

Just the type of winter hat we need rn. Possibly not a style to wear in the rain. 😉
The cut-out section is filled with a spray of Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired Glasgow roses made from wire detail and covered in silk ribbon. #GlasgowRose #CharlesRennieMackintoshRose #Cloche

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

🌤 It’s nearly the weekend so let’s dream of sunshine and dressing up like silver screen goddesses. Donning a turban is always sophisticated. #ButterflyHat
#SriLankanSilk #TurbanStyles

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

Tools of the trade ⚒
This gorgeous piece of equipment is an egg iron. It’s heated and used to press fabric into curves and indents. Most commonly it’s used for the indent in a trilby.
Hatblocks with dips and curves are ever popular so this has plenty of uses. #tools #millinery

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

Sunday sparkles ✨

Red and gold is a classic colour combination. It’s rich and evocative making for a standout piece every time.
#RedAndGold #WeddingStyle #Felt

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

When I designed my hydrangea hat I experimented with silk embroidery thread but the rich colours paired so well with a touch of sparkle.
Details really can make all the difference. ✨
#Details #Embellishment #HandMade

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

🥶 Chilly outside, sunshine inside ☀️

I started making this percher hat too long ago and it’s been boxed and moved about for longer than I like to think about.

Veiling has come and gone from the design but I’m keen to see it finished. #MadeInScotland #SilkAbaca #WorkInProgress

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

Happy Burns night, wherever you’re celebrating 🥃

‘My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer’ 🦌

#Haggis #MacSweenHaggis #MacSween #Veggie #BurnsNight

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

@KirstenMakes I’m a milliner using and advocating for traditional skills, always keen to tell more people about it. Milliner and owner, https://t.co/pPS6yFvqsN

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

Hats aren’t always so serious 💁🏻‍♀️
This Art Deco inspired hat is in fact a building carefully designed on Photoshop and printed onto pink silk.
To compliment the 20’s & 30’s inspired colour palette the underside of the crown is a luxurious green velvet, perfect for the era. #hats

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

Custom doesn’t have to be complex.
This sinamay hat was inspired by the floral pattern in Susan’s skirt for a special wedding.
Black suede & luxurious abaca silk mirrored the petal print. The varied textures made it a stand out piece in chic black.

#BlackHat #AllBlackEverything

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

Isn’t she lovely? I’m proud of this Mother of the groom look made to match a floral playsuit.

We paired custom dyed abaca silk with feather accents and beads to make this casual style glamorous for her son’s big day.

#ThursoWedding #CaithnessWedding #MOTG #BespokeService

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

This linen thread is ideal for sewing my black leather headpieces🧵

I love old thread reels with their sense of history. The label is lovely too.

This reel was passed on by kind fellow milliner and I like to be reminded of her when I use it. #KnoxsThread #ScottishMilliner

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

Monday’s are messy hair days.

I’m working on knotted headbands made from recycled fabric. As with any headpiece the fit has to be just right so I’ve been back at the mirror. ♻️👌🏻 #RecycledClothes #SustainableFashion #SlowFashion
#HandMadeIsBest

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

Friday flowers 🌺🌼 Happy weekending folks #GlasgowWestend #ScottishSummer #SummerWalks #WestendWanderer

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

You can see from her smile how much fellow milliner Jill enjoyed talking felt. I enjoyed talking feathers just as much.
We were talking at Glasgow’s Bonnetmakers & Dyers member’s event last night with Sue Selwyn with her kimono.
#BonnetMakersAndDyers #HandDyed #Millinery #Kimono

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

Delicate lace is so flattering. This sinamay headpiece was made to match one mother of the groom’s blue lace dress worn with self coloured shoes and bag for a regal look. The lace and sinamay were hand dyed to match.

#MotherOfTheGroom #Fascinator #WeddingHats

[Zara Gray @ZGmillinery]

Privileged to be joining fellow milliner Jill Busby & museum curator Sue Selwyn at @TradesHouse
We will each share our knowledge about our crafts 20/8/19
7pm-10pm.
Get your ticket by e-mailing [email protected]
#TradesHouse #BonnetMakersAndDyers #Milliners