Hat designer Cozmo Jenks shares her wardrobe with stylist Natasha Musson
Cozmo Jenks, one of the world’s most celebrated milliners, lives in an enchanting old rectory, tucked away in the glorious Blackmore Vale. She has created hats and head pieces for a host of high profile clients, countless celebrities and many members of the Royal Family. She has a distinctive and flamboyant style seen both in her couture pieces and her own glamorous look. A great believer in always having fun with your clothes and making the absolute most of them, she found a kindred spirit in Somerset wardrobe consultant and stylist, Natasha Musson.
They met when Natasha used Cozmo’s creations when styling the charity fashion show, Rocking the Catwalk, which raised £15,000 for local charity Flying Colours and the Special Care Baby Unit at Yeovil Hospital. They instantly hit it off.
With summer parties and the wedding season in full swing, Somerset Life brought Cozmo and Natasha together to talk style and give readers some advice on creating great looks from what’s already in their wardrobes. Natasha is keen for her clients to get the most out of their clothes: a gorgeous new dress should never be worn just once and then put away to be saved for ‘best’.
Cozmo moved back to her family home from London seven years ago. She loves to dress up and clothes are an important part of her character. Natasha explains: “Cozmo has worked in the fashion industry for years and her wardrobe is very special, filled with lots of individual, one-off items. It’s definitely not your average wardrobe. But dipping into this treasure trove offers us lots of top tips on how to dress. The most important of which is to have fun! Cozmo always enjoys her clothes.”
When I arrive, Cozmo and two friends, Vanessa and Anna, are in casual clothes, drinking tea and chatting. All three are country girls and have been up since dawn, looking after the horses and helping with the lambing.
Over the years Cozmo has bought vintage and couture fabrics and had them made into dresses, skirts and jackets of her own design. Natasha immediately picks out a pretty dress made in Gucci fabric for Vanessa. Natasha is enthusiastic about the print and bias cut; summery and on-trend. An electric blue stole from ASOS, new wedge shoes from Russell & Bromley and of course a stunning Cozmo Jenks creation in pink completes the look.
Anna is dressed in a stunning red silk shirt from Paul & Joe and a Matthew Williamson skirt. “We tucked in the blouse to show off the lovely yellow waistband and highlight Anna’s fantastic figure,” says Natasha. Gold drop earrings that belonged to Cozmo’s mother and a pair of Cozmo’s prized purple Louboutin peep toe shoes are added along with a mini topper in black with stylish netting over the eyes.
In Cozmo’s atelier and hat room, a magical space filled with hats, reams of ribbons, velvets, silks and flowers, Cozmo chats with Natasha about her own outfit of a vibrant dress and fitted jacket with thin candy coloured stripes.
“These are all clothes that I’ve had for ages and worn many times. Both my dress and jacket are made from fabric that I love and which I had made up by my dressmaker, Florinda. Having things made is a great investment and it gives you an individual piece that you will really love and wear time and time again.”
Natasha adds: “The lovely bias cut is perfect on Cozmo’s slim hips and the brilliant colours are a perfect match for her fun personality. The jacket is a classic cut with three-quarter sleeves. It’s timeless and stylish.” Cozmo adds a gorgeous pale green hat with flowers.
Cozmo’s top tips on how to wear a hat:
•Never have a brim broader than you shoulders
•Keep your hair back otherwise your face is lost
•Never wear a hat on the back of your head. Wear it forward, either centrally or to the side.
•Small is chic. Don’t be tempted to go big.
•Most importantly of all wear a hat and have fun!
Natasha’s advice on getting the most from your wardrobe:
•Clothes can make you feel good and boost your confidence; have fun and enjoy them
•Accessorise! Adding a bright belt, necklace or earrings will bring an outfit to life
•Don’t stick with just two colours in an outfit; always add a third or many more
•There’s nothing sadder than a lovely dress left hanging in the wardrobe for the next ‘special occasion’. Think how can I wear this again? This summer a key trend is wearing a dress over trousers. Work that dress for daytime
•Mix textures – wearing multiple textures like fur, silk, leather will always keep your look individual and interesting.
Photography
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