Last September I was lucky enough to be invited to a supplier evening at Thicket Priory, York. From pulling onto to drive way to exploring the venue and grounds, I was truly blown away.

 

It is such a luxurious venue, yet warm and homely. It has a very welcoming atmosphere. Everything from the ceremony rooms, private chapel, tranquil gardens and setting to the stunning bedrooms is all to the highest quality and standard.

 

Anna and the rest of the staff are so helpful and go above and beyond to give you a truly unique service. If you are newly engaged or looking to hold a private event then this gem is worth a visit.

 

 

 

Website:

https://thicketpriory.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After losing my cousin, Ellie, recently aged 23, I wanted to help raise money and, at Ellie’s request, donations are to be made to Sarcoma UK so that others could benefit from their research.

Sarcoma UK is a national charity that has funded more than £2 million into vital sarcoma research. Their mission is to amplify sarcoma awareness, inspire involvement, and fund ground-breaking research to transform the lives of everyone affected by sarcoma.

Sadly in November 2016, Ellie was diagnosed with a mediastinal synovial sarcoma whilst studying chemistry at the University of Bristol. Ellie received chemotherapy treatment in St James’s Hospital in Leeds as well as proton beam therapy in Jacksonville, Florida. She had been accepted to participate in a clinical trail at the Royal Marsden Hospital but, after two years and three months, Ellie lost her battle with sarcoma and died peacefully in St. James’s hospital.  My family would like to thank all the staff at The Bexley Wing at St James’s Hospital for their dedication, care and support looking after Ellie and helping her fight this devastating disease.

Ellie loved life and was a bright, determined and caring young lady.

 

My design inspiration came from an amazing holiday in the Seychelles. It was incredible and the ‘palm trees’ featured so prominently. Ellie and her boyfriend, Rohan, visited the Seychelles a month later so it seemed a perfect idea to design my new scarf collection for Ellie.

The scarf price £150 – 20% of each sale will go to Sarcoma UK.

 

Get in touch for more details:

enquiries@georgedurdy.com

07789964249

 

‘Ellie’

100% Limited Edition Silk Satin

 

 

‘Eleanor’

100% Limited Edition Silk Satin

 

‘Isobel’

100% Limited Edition Silk Satin

 

 

‘Lucy’

100% Limited Edition Silk Satin

 

 

 

 

I am thrilled to launch 5 new luxury Limited Edition scarf designs. I have produced 5 prints of each of the 5 designs. This makes the scarves very exclusive and NOT mass-produced.

 

Each design has been created and designed by myself using my own photography which makes them extremely unique. Please get in touch if you would like anymore details on the scarves.

 

Order today to avoid disappointment.

 

Email: enquiries@georgedurdy.com

 

‘RINGNECK PHEASANT’

 

100% Silk Modal with a gorgeous fringed edge.

 

 

‘LIONESS’

 

100% Silk Modal with a gorgeous fringed edge.

 

 

‘REEVES PLUMES’

 

100% Silk Satin finished with a hand rolled edge.

 

 

‘LIMOSA’

 

100% Silk Satin finished with a hand rolled edge.

 

 

‘NATURAL REEVES PLUMES’

 

100% Silk Chiffon finished with a hand rolled edge.

 

 

 

Featuring York Racecourse oldest, richest, fastest and most famous races it is certainly an occasion worth getting dressed up for.

Fashion is at the heart of the Ebor Festival and the Ebor Fashion Lawn, running across all four days. This is an amazing opportunity to get involved and showcase your style.

George has been lucky enough to include her top tips on ‘HEADWEAR’

 

Check out the style guide below which is being featured in the ‘Yorkshire Living Magazine’

 

Get in touch for your bespoke George Durdy creation:

Email: enquiries@georgedurdy.com

Mobile: 07789964249

 

We are thrilled to announce that this year we are working along side York Racecourse as their partner milliner in the ‘WELCOME TO YORKSHIRE EBOR FESTIVAL’

 

Wednesday 23rd-Saturday 26th 2017.

 

George will be on the catwalk ready to welcome lots of fabulous racegoers who wish to enter the Ebor Fashion Lawn.

George is going to be featured in the Yorkshire Living Magazine along side personal stylist Laura Fawcett with the Ebor Fasion Lawn style guide.

We look forward to seeing you all there. #ClassicEbor

 

Contact: enquiries@georgedurdy.com

After a busy few months making lots of bespoke commissions for clients attending Royal Ascot, I thought it would be lovely to show off some images of our clients looking chic in our designs.

 

Please get in touch for your bespoke George Durdy England design.

 

enquiries@georgedurdy.com

 

 

 

 

 

There have been a few frosty mornings just recently, with many more still to come I suspect.

We thought it would be worthwhile to show off some of the winter headpieces and hats. These are perfect for winter racing and weddings as well as relaxed everyday styles.

 

If you would like any further information on the designs, pricing or bespoke commissions. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

enquiries@georgedurdy.com

 

1 – AMAZONITE

 

 

2 – MICA

 

 

3 – CINNABAR

 

 

4 – TIGER EYE

 

 

5 – AQUA AURA

 

 

6 – FELDSPAR

 

 

7 – EMERALD

 

 

I am thrilled to launch 5 new luxury Limited Edition scarf designs. I have produced 10 prints of each of the 5 designs. This makes the scarves very exclusive and NOT mass-produced.

 

Each design has been created and designed by myself using my own photography which makes them extremely unique. Please get in touch if you would like anymore details on the scarves.

 

Order today to avoid disappointment.

 

Contact me at:

enquries@georgedurdy.com

 

‘PEACOCK PLUME’

 

100% Wool with a gorgeous frayed edge.

 

 

 

‘GRACEFUL GIRAFFE’

 

100% Light Silk Twill finished, hand rolled edge.

 

 

 

‘PLUMES’

 

100% Light Silk Twill, hand rolled edge.

 

 

 

‘THE DAZZLE ZEBRA’

 

100% Light Silk Twill, hand rolled edge.

 

 

 

‘THE PAINTED LADY’

 

100% Light Silk Twill, hand rolled edge.

 

 

 

 

I have had a fantastic opportunity to work with Racing Welfare on two occasions this year. It has been great to meet lots of new faces at both events. One took place in my home town at Doncaster Racecourse and the other at Haydock Park for the charity race day.

I gave one of my designs for the silent auction in return of a stand to display my hats. It has been an amazing opportunity and I have really enjoyed working with an amazing charity which I hope will continue in 2017.

 

Last week I exhibited at The Great Yorkshire Show and as always it was a fantastic local show. It was lovely to see some old faces and get some repeat orders and sales, as well as meeting lots of new customers who had never seen George Durdy England.

The photo’s below show my stand at the show.

 

 

 

 

 

After months of making bespoke commissions for clients attending the biggest summer race event, I thought it would be a great idea to show off some of our designs which attended this year.

Please get in touch for your bespoke George Durdy England design.

enquiries@georgedurdy.com

 

 

I am pleased to announce that another George Durdy hat has been featured in the February 2016 edition of the Wedding Magazine.

 

One thing that stands out to me is how versatile my hats can be. Who would of thought a 70’s style velour hat trimmed with ivory lace paired with a feminine crochet wedding dress would be such a knockout combination. This creates a unique look and is extremely eye catching.

 

 

 

Hat – ‘Rosebud’ £155

 

All designs are completely handmade and can be made in a range off colours.

 

George Durdy England offers Bridal consultations for those Brides wanting a one off BESPOKE design that perfectly coordinating their chosen dress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have now caught up from a busy couple of days a few weekends ago at Ascot November Racing Weekend. I had a fantastic time and it was a pleasure to see returning customers as well as lots of new potential clients.

 

 

I parted with some of my new AW15 ‘Lewe’ creations and I am looking forward to my clients wearing their new George Durdy design.

 

 

I have a range of AW15 designs available so if you are in need of a headpiece for an event such as a wedding or race meet then please don’t hesitate to get in touch whether it is to discuss an individual commission or to see my one off ready to wear collection.

 

Email: enquiries@georgedurdy.com

With the colder days fast approaching I wanted to show off my new Autumn/Winter 2015 hats and headpiece designs. Unfortunately with the year running away I haven’t been able to arrange a photo shoot however, below you can see a range of images showing some of the headpieces which are part of The ‘Lewe’ Collection. These are all currently available to buy.

 

I am also showing off my new designs on the 20th and 21st November at the Country Living Fair at Ascot Racecourse for their racing weekend – STAND NUMBER 21

 

If you would like any further information on the designs, pricing or bespoke commissions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

Email: enquiries@georgedurdy.com

 

1 – ‘Wilderness’

 

 

2 – ‘Harare’

 

 

3 – ‘Limpopo’

 

 

4 – ‘Karoo’

 

 

5 – ‘Mala’

 

 

6 – ‘Phinda’

 

 

7 – ‘Addo’

 

 

8 – ‘Zulu’

 

 

9 – ‘Amakhala’

 

 

10 – ‘Mokala’

 

After a successful few days at the CLA game fair I was lucky enough to meet Alexandra Henson – the Content Editor of The Field Magazine. She contacted me regarding the ‘Christmas Gift Guide’ feature which I was excited to be asked to feature in.

 

When the November issue of the magazine came I was thrilled to see my ‘Wilderness’ design showcased in the gift guide section. What a fantastic opportunity it is for me in such a prestigious country magazine. This is a perfect Autumn/Winter headpiece for the Winter meets at Cheltenham, Ascot or for a glorious winter wedding.

 

Please get in touch for YOUR unique headpiece which is one of a kind!! Email – enquiries@georgedurdy.com

 

 

The last few weeks I have worked closely with Lens & Hound who wanted to take photo’s of my ‘Limited Edition Silk Scarves’ complementing my ‘Hanover’ trilby design. I was thrilled to have been asked to lend my products to Lens & Hound and love the images they have produced.

 

There is a range of product shots which show off the rich vibrant colours in both the ‘Jagluiperd’ and ‘Kameelperde’ scarves. These are both perfect to dress up an everyday look to a country pursuit or for a special occasion.

 

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for your bespoke design or for one of my LIMITED EDITION SCARVES as numbers are running low! Perfect Christmas present.

 

EMAIL: enquiries@georgedurdy.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a busy summer I am thrilled to show off some of the work I have produced. I have worked really closely with a number of clients this summer to create their unique George Durdy bespoke headpiece for their special occasion. See the images below of some of the headpieces I have created for my clients.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch whether it be an appointment you would like to book or an initial inquiry.

enquiries@georgedurdy.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am thrilled to launch my new luxury accessory collection which has evolved from a recent trip to Zambia and South Africa.

 

Image: Looking over to Simon’s Town.

 

Order NOW to avoid disappointment as I prepare my new 100% LIGHT CREPE DE CHINE SILK LIMITED EDITION SCARVES!

Currently I have designed 2 different styles and I have had 15 scarves printed in each design, finished off with hand rolled edges to ensure exclusivity!

My trip was owe inspiring and unforgettable and as a keen photographer I made sure I captured the fluidity and beauty of the African wildlife and landscape. The two designs contrast each other.

 

The ‘Jagluiperd‘ design is rich and vibrant in colour. The background reflects the sunset on the Zambezi River, Zambia contrasting by a cheetah on the prowl. The boarder has subtle feature of feathers!

I have included a couple images I have used to inspired my creativity and the finished product!

 

Image: Sunset over the Zambezi River, Zambia.

 

Image: Cheetah on the prowl!

 

THE FINISHED DESIGN

 

 

The ‘Kameelperde‘ design has a soft palette which was inspired by the graceful giraffes wondering in the sun across the landscape. The image I used was taken on a game reserve in South Africa and I contrasted this with a close up photograph I took of a zebra in Zambia!

 

Image: Action shot!

 

Image: Up close and personal with the zebra in Zambia.

 

THE FINISHED DESIGN

 

 

Get in touch if you would like to order or if you would like any more details!

Keep your eyes peeled, new designs are underway!

Email: enquiries@georgedurdy.com

I am back from a successful first trip at the CLA Game Fair which was held at Harewood House this year. I had a fantastic time and it was lovely to see so many familiar as well as new faces visiting the stand.

The weather played tricks on us over the three days however it didn’t put everyone off shopping and showing their faces!

I launched some of my new AW15 collection which is called The “Lewe’ Collection and is inspired by a recent trip to Africa.

 

 

The reaction that clients new and existing gave me was thrilling. I am already looking forward to doing the CLA Game Fair next year!

 

For my photo shoot this year I was very lucky with the glorious weather but more importantly with the stunning venue and backdrop.

I would like to thank George Buchanan for allowing me to use his amazing venue at Hodsock Priory.

Definitely a venue to consider if your planning a wedding or event. I couldn’t of achieved my photo’s without a good-friend James Jones and I can’t thank him enough for his support and photographic expertise.

I do hope you enjoy viewing my recent ‘Limosa’ collection.

With the biggest race event now behind us, I thought it was a great idea to show off some of my work which I have been working on for the past couple of months and they were made especially for my clients attending Royal Ascot.

I absolutely love going to Royal Ascot because you can guarantee that you wont be let down with the variety of hats on show.

Below are a few of my bespoke commissions I have made for my clients as well as myself.

 

Image 1 – Left – Swooping up-turned brim hat in coral trimmed with ivory lace. Centre – Turquoise tear drop base trimmed with striking peacock swords and sequins. Right – Pale pink beret base trimmed with silk orchid and bleached pheasant feathers.

Image 2 – Grey angular brimmed hat trimmed with eye catching lady amherst feathers and tigered quills.

 

Image 3 – Natural tear drop based trimmed with textured silk and natural pheasant feathers.

 

Image 4 – Black straw beret base trimmed with lady amherst feathers.

Image 5 – Checked crin headband with cream ribbon detail and ivory quills.

 

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like a bespoke design creating for your special occasion, wedding’s or for a day to the races.

Email: enquiries@georgedurdy.com

I am excited to announce that i have been featured in the ‘Wedding Magazine’ June/July addition.

The ‘Leonie’ bridal headpiece is featured on the left hand side of the image below.

 

George Durdy England offers Bridal consultations for those Brides wanting a one off BESPOKE design that perfectly coordinating their chosen dress.

It feels as though I haven’t given an update on my exciting time at the Country Living Spring Fair which was in March in Islington, London. I had a fantastically exciting 5 days at the Design Business Centre as I launched George Durdy  England as a brand publically for the first time.

The first bit of excitement was fitting all my products and furniture into the van. Once I arrived and navigated the streets of London we had to put on our creative heads to set the stand up – which was challenging with the space but fun.

 

Over the 5 days I had a  lot of time to make the most of being pro-active, handing out business cards, leaflets and a chance to talk to customers and the general public about how George Durdy started.

 

I met a lot of lovely exhibitors and  new clients who bought George Durdy England designs, showed interest and placed orders for their special occasion.

 

I was so pleased to be part of such a wonderful show and feel I have made new connections and hopefully started to get ‘George Durdy England’ spoken about in the South.

Overall it was a steep learning curve but a great positive first show that I feel was a success.

In May I was approached by a Bride to help create an unusual headpiece for her special Wedding Day. What an absolute privilege it was to be asked. I was not only involved in making the Bride’s headpiece but also the Bridesmaid and Mother of the Bride.

I worked closely with the Bride to design something unique for the bridesmaid to wear and for it to compliment in the Groomsmen. We came to the decision to cover the base in tweed, the Groomsmen and Groom where having their waistcoats made from matching tweed.

For the Bridesmaid I used  pheasant and burnt peacock feathers to decorate the headpiece and added the veiling to create softness and interest.

 

The next exciting challenge for me was to create a unique headpiece for the Mother of the Bride. With the wedding being black tie I had a specific request for the headpiece not to be an actual hat or too big or fussy. Something more architectural and structured was required. When the Mother of the Bride came to me she had a good idea of what she wanted, she brought some photos of shapes she liked and this gave me a starting point.

I really enjoyed working on this headpiece as it was unusual and had a sharp finish. More importantly it didn’t get in the way when guests where greeted or block her view in any way. The whole outfit looked sophisticated and classic. Below is a side profile of the headpiece when I caught an action shot of the Mother of the Bride.

 

 

Finally…..THE BRIDE!

This was the most nerve racking design I had to make, it had to be perfect for her. We worked really closely together and in her head she knew what she was wanting which helped me from a design prospective. I worked with dyeing feather flowers, pheasant feathers, and veiling. This is a very unique and bespoke design made especially for the BRIDE. She looked stunning and she certainly made a beautiful Bride.

 

I have designed and made trilbies and floppy brimmed hats which are styled to be worn everyday. I have always wanted to make hats in these styles as these are the type of hats I like to wear myself.

Below is a photo of myself wearing my country inspired trilby using a range of feathers that work well within the countryside.

 

 

I have made bespoke pieces for clients attending weddings and the races. However, they are timeless pieces that can be worn over and over for a days shopping or a  more formal event.

Below is showing a client wearing a bespoke ‘floppy brimmed’ hat with lace detailing around the crown.

 

 

Below is a bespoke ‘trilby hat’ using a mixture of pheasant feathers to add more depth and interest of colour.

 

 

Please get in touch if you would like a George Durdy Design which are made to order. Email : enquiries@georgedurdy.com

My next challenge is to create a collection of flat caps for men and women.

Watch this space…..