Here’s another installment in our ‘We Love…’ blog interviews and today we talk to Helena Talbot, designer and founder of HT Headwear. Read on to find out more about this fascinating milliner…

Hello Helena, tell us a bit about your yourself. HT Headwear was established shortly after I got married and couldn’t find the perfect little something for myself and my bridesmaids to wear in their hair that was affordable without compromising on style.  I wanted something totally unique without breaking the bank or having the same as everybody else had from a high street store!

How did you get into the industry? I did a millinery course after Uni for a bit of fun and started making headpieces for friends then it phased out whilst I went travelling and started up again a year ago when I made pieces for my own wedding.

What’s your best seller? Iridessa in my SS10 collection

Which designer from your industry inspires you and why? There are many designers I find inspiring but Jenny Packham really stands out, I just love her work!

Tell us about someone you follow on Twitter that we should be following or a fashion-related blog that our fans should be reading and why. Love My Dress is a great blog, with fabulous features and ideas for vintage themed weddings.

Celebrity shoppers? Our pieces are really for anyone and everyone.  I would love to see a whole range of celebs in them from Lilly Allen to Kate Middleton!

What are you looking forward to for the coming year? We have a really exciting year ahead with our fabulous new collection just being launched and some great shows such as Designer Vintage Bridal show that we are attending!  We have a couple of exciting new wholesale accounts on board too which we are loving working with and have met some really inspiring people in the industry this year that we very much look forward to working with in the new year!

In your industry, tell us what you think is going to be hot next season.  Birdcage veils will continue to rule the roost as will floral headpieces and vintage inspired work.

Describe your personal fashion style.   I’m not a huge fan of following fashion.  If I like something and it looks good I buy it.  I’m a lot more practical now I’m a mum to a full on 15mth old!

What is your biggest fashion faux pas? A floor length electric blue dress with a see thru panel in I went clubbing in years ago -  I thought I looked fab of course! Just awful!!!

Think back to an early ‘shoe’ purchase when you were younger, describe them please.  I remember a pair of platform boots I brought when I was at college from a charity shop.  They were beautiful soft brown leather with a huge platform on them – I only wore them once and nearly broke both ankles!!

What is your favourite pair of Rachel Simpson shoes? Marilyn

Pick a pair of Rachel Simpson Shoes and match it to something you sell, why this combination? The Mimi paired with our Ophelia piece from the new collection, sheer classic beauty married together!

Describe Rachel Simpson Shoes in three words. Elegant, timeless, beautiful.

If Rachel Simpson Shoes is known for its vintage inspiration and simply beautiful shoes, what is your company synonymous with? Beautifully bespoke handcrafted headpieces that can be treasured forever.