As published in the VC Reporter's Best Of, September 2009.
The ladies of the VC are flipping their lids over the latest
fashion trend. Margaret Winter's fascinators are turning heads, but few have
even heard the term.
“If you ever watched a Hugh Grant movie, there are feathers
on everyone’s heads!” says Winter, who describes the fascinator as a simple
hair adornment, or more specifically, a small hat that fits on the side of the
head with a flower, “some sort of bling,” fabric, veil netting and/or feather
coming off (“something that wafts in the breeze”), which is held on with a comb
securely tucked into the hair.
Winter started her business, Over the Top Fascinators, at
the first of the year, something that came about when she helped a friend.
“I had seen them in Europe
and I was asked by a friend of mine who had gone to school in Europe
to make one for her wedding.”
After that, an avalanche of referrals had her designing
fascinators full time. Although the bulk of her business is bridal, these
beautiful hair accessories are certainly not just for brides or wedding
attendees. Fascinators are all the rage on the club scene says Winter, adding,
“The pin-up and rockabilly girls are really into this...my daughter rarely goes
out without one.”
Winter does a lot of custom work, consulting with clients
(and even their hairdressers) to incorporate keepsakes like vintage buttons and
rhinestones into the designs. She also hand tints fabric flowers to match
bridesmaids dresses or other outfits. Prices start at $20 for a simple
ready-made casual headband. Custom bridal designs usually run $75 on up to
$125.
Winter works out of her home in Ventura and sells most of her fascinators
through her Web site. She also keeps a handful of designs at Alayna’s Bridal in
Camarillo and
Le Monde and Cara Mia in downtown Ventura .
Over the Top Fascinators
(805) 217-3299
