As featured in Collect It! magazine:

We all know that weddings can provide memories to treasure, but now they can also offer brides treasures to keep forever.

Brides are now able to wear an original, custom-made tiara on their wedding day that will become a collectable and gain value, thanks to Kirstie Taylor.

Kirstie, working under the name Flo & Percy, believes she is the only person in the UK to make vintage tiaras from beautiful old jewellery, creating a work of art that will be something to cherish.

Kirstie says: “I have always liked old things ever since I was a child so when I decided to embark on a new business making tiaras, I immediately looked at my vintage jewellery collection for inspiration.

She has undertaken a great deal of research as she has built up her collection, a lot of it from the 1950s.

“There are various designers I choose because their pieces make very good tiaras,” said Kirstie. “These include Coro, Lisner and Kramer, which have all ceased trading and lots of the pieces are signed so brides are getting something that really does go up in value.

“Nearly all the components I use in the tiaras are vintage. Old pearls have a beautiful colour and lustre that you just can’t get in new pearls that are too shiny and new and don’t give the same look that I want to achieve.

“A lot of brides these days realise that vintage fashion is very much ‘in vogue’ and want to echo this look in a tiara that they can then keep as a family heirloom and something that will also gain value.”

Brides either visit Kirstie in person or make their selection on the Internet, choosing the jewellery from digital photographs. Either way, Kirstie will find out about the bride’s dress and other information about the wedding that helps her to select the right colours and shapes, sourcing more old jewellery if she has nothing in her collection that matches the bride’s choice .

Each tiara is accompanied by information on its history or as much knowledge as Kirstie is able to gather on the jewellery.

She says: “I sell all over the country. I have designed a comb and jewellery for Jill Halfpenny’s wedding next year. I am delighted as it’s my first celebrity client and I am very proud!

“It is absolutely fantastic for me to know that a bride is wearing something I have created for her on her wedding day, the most important day in her life. For me, there is nothing more rewarding.”

Naturally, it is not absolutely essential to be a bride-to-be to appreciate these special tiaras!