 The
pendulum of fashion is swinging back and bringing with it the lost tradition
of wearing headpieces, tiaras, pins and combs.
In
1994 a young designer named Beth McGowan foresaw this trend and began
designing and fabricating beautiful crowns, headbands, tiaras and hairpins
in cast silver. "Initially other designers were confused with my idea
of wearing jewelry on the head. Being a sculptor and trained in jewelry
design it seemed to me the most logical place for me to begin. The head
and hair of a woman is yet another beautiful place to adorn with something
original."
The headpieces created by Beth McGowan are lightweight and comfortable
as well as being original. They come in a large variety of styles ranging
from full crowns that surround the entire head, tiaras resembling lace,
small and large haircombs of both Chinese and Spanish influence, slim
and wide headbands to bun wreaths and hairpins. They can be plated in
gold, bronze or copper "Most of my clients are brides looking for something
unique to wear on their wedding day. They want something symbolic that
will last, that they can wear again- on special occasions or on their
anniversaries. These women want something they can pass on to their
daughters, who in turn, will continue to pass it on as a family heirloom."
It seems, however, that the crowns are becoming popular with the fashion
world and are beginning to appear in European editions of Marie Claire,
Elle and Vogue as well as their bridal counterparts.
"The stylist love working with these crowns and tiaras because they add a rich touch to the photos without hogging up attention." says McGowan, " Hairstylists love them because the keep the hair in place and their versatility makes them really fun to work with. They are catching on like wildfire and I’m getting calls every week from different magazines. Last week an internet publication called me up looking for something "cyber" and I had just the crown for them".
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Stores
representing Las Coronas in the USA:
Cupid´s Garden Bayje Bridal Designs Aptos, CA. Adornments Neiman-Marcus Accessory to a Wedding Jane Wilson-Marquis Pilo Bridal Bella Mia Melissa Sweet Brides by Donna Sewly Yours
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Beth
McGowan was born in Ohio and studied sculpture at The Bath Academy in
England and at The Cooper Union in New York City. She went on to work
with designer Wendy Stevens making accessories in metal, and later,
to work for P. E. Guerin in Greenwich Village, learning the forgotten
art of metal restoration and manipulation called "chasing".