Wearing a different hat

York mum Jane Towler is turning heads with her distinctive hat designs. MAXINE GORDON reports

Finding a shop for her new hat business on Tadcaster Road opposite York racecourse meant there could be only one name for Jane Towler's new store.

"Ladies Day," declares the mum of two proudly. "Names are really important and I wanted something that signified York racecourse and also promoted the idea of women dressing up. After all, York is known as the Ascot of the North."

And with the next York race meeting only a week away, Jane's arrival on the city's millinery scene could not have been better timed.

For the 37-year-old former hairdresser, it's the culmination of three years of hard work learning the skills of the trade.

"I've always been artistic. I once did a florist course at night school and I like to make my own clothes and do interior design.

"When I left school I went to college to learn hairdressing, but only because I didn't have the confidence to do something like fashion design. But as you get older you become more confident."

That surge in confidence combined with the frustrations of being a housewife looking after husband Ian and kids Charlotte, 11, and John, 13, led Jane to York College where she enrolled in a millinery course.

She enjoyed it so much that she signed up for a two-year Higher National Certificate in millinery at the Leeds College of Art and Design.

The course is almost finished and, in between setting up her business, she has been working on her final college collection.

Much of the work is avant garde, inspired by abstract and surrealist artists. "I love Kandinsky and Picasso, and I have used strong shapes and angles."

A particularly striking work is a rust-coloured hat in homage to surrealist Thirties artist Eileen Agar. On a tilt, it has ruffles rising up on one side with a slope on the other to reveal the imprint of a face on the crown. It comes with a matching mask. Jane explains: "There was an exhibition of her work in Leeds and we were asked to create something to go along with it. I made this hat and wore it to an event at the gallery."

Not all Jane's hats are so way-out. She also has an own-name, off-the-peg collection suitable for occasion wear.

"I like the classic/dramatic look," says Jane. "But I insist on quality. I use silk and natural fibres. If people come to the shop, they will see that a lot of the hats are quite, shall we say tame. What the others show is my artistic ability: what I can do."

Jane aims to offer a complete package to customers and has joined forces with York dressmaker Karen Midgley and image consultant Sally Hanley, whose services are available via the store.

"Karen used to work at Droopy & Browns and can either make a dress from scratch or do alterations. Sally can offer advice on colours and what shapes suit your figure.

"I'd like to offer a top-to-toe service, so that if people want to pay for a colour analysis or have Sally go shopping with them, they can do so."

Prices start at £80, going up to around £200. Most hats will also be available for hire at a fraction of the cost.

The opening of the shop has been a family affair. Her husband Ian helped revamp the interior, which used to be a butchers. Ian also takes Wednesday off from his job as a prison officer to look after the children while Jane attends college in Leeds.

So what does he make of his wife's dream becoming a reality?

"It's great that she's decided to put her talents to good use," says Ian. "Everybody's really delighted for her."

Ladies Day is at 86 Tadcaster Road, York. Tel 01904 703405. Open every day 10am-5pm except Sunday and Wednesday.

Picture: Avant garde art is the inspiration for Jane's designs. This incredible sunburst hat with a face imprint, was inspired by surrealist artist Eileen Agar. (Picture by Nigel Holland)