Working with my hands has always been a favourite activity for me. When I was a child I painted and drew every day: often flowers picked from our garden, often imaginary people, occasionally people would sit still enough for me to draw them. I joined the Christchurch Botanical Art Society at the tender age of 12 years, and learned a great deal from the incredibly talented artists in that group. Their love for beauty and their eye for detail taught me to catch the little details that combined create an exquisite artwork. I have always had an appreciation for the incredible world of beauty around us, and have always wanted to imitate that natural artistry in my own work. Over the last several years I have taught myself historic millinery techniques to recreate the delicacy of flowers handcrafted from pure silks and laces.

I take pure, white silk and hand dye it to create any colour required, then hand cut, stitch, and press each petal or leaf to create either bouquets of delicate flowers or leaf sprigs, then combine these to create the perfect hair, wrist or sash accessory for weddings, race day or any other event that requires that extra exquisite detail.

I also work with freshwater pearls and stunning Swarovski crystals and pearls to create hair vines, hair bands and hair pins that are perfectly suited to weddings and other special events.

I love every aspect of my work and I am constantly seeking to learn more and explore new and exciting possibilities for hair pieces that will truly delight. The Daughters of Lace bespoke service allows me to do just that: I work with you to create hair accessories that suit your natural beauty and style, and to reflect the vision you have for your special day.

Lydia Mead