Creation de Mode: Paris - London

I have been designing headpieces or what I now call “Bijoux de tête” since 1997, after having been lent a magnificient headpiece by a famous French milliner-philosopher, Jacques Pinturier, for the Prix de Diane, the French Royal Ascot! I was a keen convert in several Parisian millinery schools after having spent too many years in "Company offices".

I then experienced a steep learning curve when I pursued my training with London milliners in “Haute Mode” and the unbeatable British mix of attention to detail and extravagance. I completed this on-the-job training with courses at the London Fashion Institute and St Martin’s School of Art. I am particularly dedicated to making one-off pieces and one of the greatest rewards is selling in all parts of the world.

I also was lucky enough to work with the fashion editorialists in many magazines in Britain, France, Spain, New York and Japan, who featured my headpieces in their magazines shortly after I started and which gave me a phenomenal boost. The workshop I led during the 2005 Textile Show was a “revelation” as a source of inspiration and for the demand and questioning of my technical skills.

I now aim to develop workshops which I will initially be giving at the Fête de Noé in Jersey on Friday 25th, Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November 2005. In the longer term, I aim to extend my clients worldwide thanks to my website www.gaela.com.

I also hope to develop a millinery course, while I hope to continue exhibiting in various places and selling to a small number of exclusive boutiques.

Gaela is a visiting artist at Textile Showcase 2005.