Jane Bea
Founder and Creative Director
A warm welcome
to my design world
Welcome to my creative world! I passionately believe in imaginative and elegant design is for everyone to enjoy.
When you come into my world we will discuss what you like, what is your style or do you want a new look?
"Making you the centre of the design is always my goal."
Whether you have a formal, classic or a more modern take on trends, using clean lines, sustainable materials, vintage fabrics, lace, silks, beads and more, the choice is yours.
For an event such as Royal Ascot we take the theme of your dress and compliment it with a headpiece or hat, working with you to complete the look.
For weddings we weave your love story into memories, whether you’re the radiant bride, steadfast bridesmaid, or wise mother. Seasonal choices, vibrant hues, and timeless elegance create a day that’s truly special.
Making to commission, I also have a selection to choose from if you are in a hurry.
We also restore and redesign family heirloom headdresses or reinvent them, and along with vintage hats ensure each item is carefully preserved for the next generation.
About Jane
"There are three responses to a piece of design,
- yes, no and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for"
Milton Glaser
Jane has spent over thirty years in the creative industries, designing, creating couture and passing on her skills to others. She has been featured in magazines, on radio and television and has created for runways and the theatre.
After a house move prompted a change in direction, she opened Olivia Bea Designs a haven for couture millinery, where expertise and insights into creative business development converge.
A high achiever throughout her career with award winning designs and caring customer support, she is always on the hunt for excellence and fresh ideas. She has continued her professional development with a number of national and internationally recognised, institutions, milliners and craftspeople. She holds a Licentiateship of City & Guilds London Institute LCGI, is a member of the British Millinery Association since its inception and Heritage Crafts who promote and help conserve historic British crafts.
"I gave Jane a photo of my dress and she matched the colours perfectly. She used a mix of colours and textures to produce a totally unique and beautiful headpiece. It was absolutely stunning!"
Ruth L.
Testimonials
"On my first appointment I was able to try out different styles and shapes. Loved playing with colours and the different flowers and ribbon trims. Completely at ease we came up with the perfect combination. A beautiful hat and I had so many compliments"
Sarah D.
"So much care and attention to detail taken with our family heirloom headpiece. Beautifully restored and ready for the next generation. Grandma was moved to tears when she saw it.
Thank you."
Anna S.
Take a look
The Design Room
Where ideas blossom into carefully handcrafted
beautiful creations, that perfectly match your style.
We start with an informal chat about what you need. Is it a hat, headdress, veil, or a fabric design that is totally your own for that special occasion?
An appointment is then made, if you are happy to continue, where we progress to a more formal discussion which usually takes about one and half hours. Here we establish dates and times, collecting inspiration on the way. This may be your choice of colours, fabrics and design ideas, or hat shapes etc.
For example if a hat or headpiece, you will be able to try on a variety, and with expert guidance you will be sure to find the right one to compliment your look.
If you wish to create a totally bespoke look, a unique fabric design, echoing heirloom jewellery to be worn, embroidered flowers, initials etc, or a more contemporary, the choice is yours.
Samples are then sent to you for approval. For more information regarding costs please contact us directly. As a guide price hats and headpieces are between £150 to £900. Fabrics start at £45 per metre.. .
Couture Millinery
Whatever the occasion or season we can create a hat, fascinator, flower crown, hair vine, or comb to suite everyone and every occasion. These can be further matched with our bespoke fabrics if desired. We also restore vintage bridal headwear and hats, whatever the occasion we are here to help you enjoy a perfectly styled day!
Natural and dyed straws, sinamay and felts are used for millinery creations along with a variety of trims vintage and bespoke.
Fabrics
Why not indulge your most creative side and let us design and make a fabric which is totally yours. We can now create fabric designs just for you. Using luxury textiles such as silk organza, velvet and embroidered cottons together with repurposed fabrics, creating further surface interest with embroidery and beads when desired, thus making your couture items totally exclusive.
Now you can have that bespoke designer look to perfectly co-ordinate with your hat or headwear.
Work with us to create your one of a kind fabric design or embellish a luxury fabric with initials. Whenever possible we use natural and sustainable materials such as silk, cotton and linen to give each creation a luxurious fine finish for the wearer. We also re-purpose beautiful vintage laces and embroidered fabrics to create a distinctive one of a kind look.
Sustainability is important to us!
Using exquisite and sustainably sourced fabrics, the delicate and elegant designs come to life under skilful hands. We offer a redesign service as part of our process for hats and headpieces,
We also repair and redesign heirloom headdresses and hats so that those special items become happy memories for another generation
A Note about Design Mood Boards
Inspiration for a design can come from anywhere. So always look around you and see what inspires you. Whether it's the season, event, a certain colour or shape or a family heirloom or photograph. Its a starting point to create something unique.
If Trends are your style then take a look at Pantone Colour of the Year in 2024 it is a shade of Peach and deeper tones around that. Fashion dictates reds and greens too from moss to fresher colours. Just remember that the colour needs to suite your skin tone and we can help with that. For hats and headpieces your face shape and function should also be considered, again we can guide you through to create a stunning effect.
We can also work with your dressmaker to develop that show stopping look!
Olivia Bea Designs
Skills and Business
Academy
Academy
Welcome to the Academy where clarity meets creativity, and business dreams and ideas become a reality.
Are you a budding creative entrepreneur, ready to turn your skills and passion into profit?
Knowing the right steps to creating that business or side hustle is essential, but where do you start? Navigating the entrepreneurial landscape can be daunting. The buzzwords, the digital cacophony is enough to make anyone’s head spin. The Academy is here to demystify the process. No jargon, no noise just crystal-clear steps tailored to your creative business journey.
Many of the online learning and support programmes are more general and are aimed at coaches and trainers, digital online businesses and quite honestly, they don’t always start at the VERY beginning. I know I’ve been there, trying to piece together a creative business can take many months.
Why Your Own Business?
Owning your own business gives greater freedom, flexibility, and balance to your life, allowing you to dictate when you work, you are the boss. If you need more time with your family then that is the reason, or you may want to travel more, as a digital creator you can!
Creatives have a unique journey ahead of them, and we’re not a one-size-fits-all. We’re the artisans, the visionaries, the ones who thrive on bringing ideas to life. Whether you’re crafting physical products or weaving digital dreams, our clear guidance is focused on you, your passion. It’s all about unlocking your creative potential. However that has its challenges!
So where do you actually START?
The First Steps to Business programme takes you right from the beginning, coming up with your ideas, to making it happen. In small bite size, easy to digest steps or as we like to call them 'Elements'.
Starting at the VERY beginning you will build your knowledge enabling you with confidence to go forward into a business you will truly love. These steps or Elements are built around your ideas and goals, expanding into a multi stream revenue if you wish. The journey is yours to take in whatever direction you choose.
If you would like to know more why not sign up for our Newsletter or join our Facebook community @oliviabeadesignacademy where I will be giving more information, FREE resources and updates on my design world.
You can also complete our contact form and I will be in touch!
I look forward to meeting you and helping your business ideas develop.
Best wishes
Jane Bea x
A little more about Jane…
Along with multiple professional design and creative qualifications, Jane also has extensive business knowledge and experience in management, education, teaching and training.
A graduate of Warwick University, she is always keen to extend her knowledge. A Distinction in Project Management and Managing Change from Coventry University, followed by a deep dive into online training, and marketing. Using a variety of digital programs has added to her expertise. She is always happy to share her knowledge and has worked with a number of organisations and small businesses to successful conclusions. She has worked with the Coventry and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, The Enterprise Scheme, UK-Government’s Skill Share scheme and more recently has been onstage at the Surrey Chamber of Commerce, Surrey Business Expo in Guildford.
Ways to Get in Touch
Sign up for our newsletter