Leah C. Couture Millinery

I wanted a simple, sophisticated short veil or birdcage for my wedding but was frustrated with the options I found both online and in bridal boutiques… somehow the styling and scale were awkward or the materials were of poor quality… every veil I tried felt too much like a costume. Then I found Leah C on Unilocal,and walking into her studio was like walking into Wonderland. I wanted to try on everything! Leah works with carefully sourced, beautiful materials. She was meticulous in helping me to select the birdcage that was perfect for my dress and petite size. Leah was also accommodating in scheduling my two appointments after work. The veil was ready quickly and beautifully packed with instructions for the day of the wedding. I’m sure I could have found a less expensive veil elsewhere, but Leah’s artistry is worth it.

I recently went to Leah C’s studio, and all I can say is… wow! I went looking for something to wear for my wedding, and I was blown away by the variety of styles and colors of gorgeous headpieces she has – bridal wear as well as a huge selection of elegant hats. Leah is very sweet (and stylish) and she immediately makes you feel at home in her studio as she shows you her things and lets you try on many items (so fun!). She’s great at helping you imagine how the different pieces can be worn as elegantly or as simply as you’d like. I am a person who loves color, and I’ve never seen so many beautiful combinations of color, from very bold and contrasting, to delicate and beautifully subtle. The way she works with color alone let me know I was working with a true artist. And the materials she uses – vintage feathers, laces and fabric – put her pieces over the top into the category of high-​end, one of a kind, couture. She helped me select something that I can wear for my wedding, but that I’ll also be able to wear again, which I really appreciate. I’m already trying to figure out an excuse to go back for another item, as there were so many I fell in love with when I was there. These pieces are not cheap, but honestly, I’m saving money by wearing a simple dress, and I’m upping the elegance and style with this gorgeous, unique item from Leah C. Thanks Leah!

I found Leah C on an internet search but I had already become, some years ago, converted from one who «never wears hats», to one who wears and loves hats and am kinda known for it, so somewhat adventurous in that regard mostly however fedora style hats. My friend had her daughters wedding in London and my husband and I were going to so we met up here after easily setting up an early morning appointment. Stepping into this showroom you know immediately you are someplace special: Leah greeted me at the door super friendly and in a cool outfit. My eyes couldn’t stop moving! We had a nice chit chat, I took out my dress (to match) and we started looking at hats/​fastinators. The very first thing I tried on I ended up buying but also 2 other things: it was one GREAT hat after another, all beautiful, all tasteful, all chic! many choices could have worked for my outfit (a Maria Cornejo dress w Eileen Gray shoes) but when I understood the quality of these unique hats (Leah uses original vintage french netting as example) I just splurged. When my friend showed up I was almost done. She came in and was like, I never wear hats, I just came for you. I was like, o no way you are not getting out of here w. out trying anything on ! (mother of the bride) So I made her try a simply little rattan hat no adornment and she was like o, this is kinda nice. So the trying on began! She must have tried on 20 hats/​veils/​fastinators and she completely feel in love with them! She came away with 4 pieces, and looked GREAT in all of them. Leah was absolutely fantastic and suggested various things to enhance the look, she was passionate about her product. Its not many times these days that you find someone doing things on a high artistic level with the BEST elements arriving at a truly superior product. I’m an artist and my friend a designer and we both got that right away. I ended up with «something for the rehearsal dinner», something for the wedding and a totally adorable felt cloche, something I never! would have picked out for myself but it was totally adorable on and my friend was there egging me on! opps. bought 3 pieces. Yes they were expensive! but on the other hand I feel I have heirloom quality pieces and even if I never wear them again, they are like art and I am going to display them. (along side my Roberta di Camerino bags :)) Got it? Go here!!!

I went to Leah to find something unique to wear in my hair for my wedding. She is really fun and lovely to work with. She created some beautiful feather flowers that I am really excited to wear on my wedding day. I shopped around, and although there are definitely less expensive options out there, working with Leah guaranteed me high end quality.
If you’re on a budget, etsy or bhldn is probably a better bet, but if you want something really special, Leah is worth a look.

Leah is wonderful!
I went to order a hat for my wedding after seeing her hats in a magazine photo shoot.
She was super patient and accomodating during my visits, when I tried all of the hats in her lovely studio, even when I brought mum and fiancé along to help me pick. It was hard to narrow down, as so many of her hats are beautiful and very well crafted.
I ended up with a spectacular little thing with a gorgeous veil, where she could name a place and time every one of the materials came from. The hat is fabulous by publci consnsus, upon seeing it, a friend of mine went to get hairpin flowers ordered and loved them as well. I am definitely coming back for some of her tiny berets later in the year.
I can’t recommend Leah highly enough — wonderful woman with great taste and superb quality materials that make her hats stand out.