Hats off to former Ayr pupil

Jul 10 2009 by Yonnie McInnes

MILLINERY designer Jane Marcantonio’s career is taking off after one of her stunning designs was worn by Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden at Ascot Races.

This former Belmont Academy pupil, from Ayr, has a growing celebrity client list which includes not only Amanda, but also film actress Kristin Scott Thomas.

Jane, 27, now lives in Surrey with her new husband Oliver and is working as costume supervisor on a film ‘Chatroom’ starring Aaron Johnston at Shepperton Studios.

“I am so lucky to have a dual career as I work in the film industry but also run my own bespoke design milliner’s business – Marcantonio – and they both dovetail nicely together,” said Jane.

“I create bespoke headpieces for weddings, Ascot, TV, films, christenings, society events, major UK sports meetings and lawn parties. They are larger headpieces rather than fascinators.

“I started work as costume supervisor in February on the film ‘Nowhere Boy’, which is about the early years of John Lennon and is set in Liverpool in the 1950s. It stars Aaron Johnston, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ann Marie Duff.

“It was from there that Kristin commissioned me to design a headpiece for her for a commemorative service she was attending at St Paul’s Cathedral in May.

“Kristin’s stepfather and father had died in action in World War II and she was doing a reading at the service, which was attended by Prince Charles.

“She is a very chic and elegant client to have in my portfolio.

“Amanda Holden approached me on the recommendation of one of her make-up artists – who is one of my work colleagues. It was only two weeks before Ascot when Amanda’s personal assistant phoned asking if I could make her a headpiece in red. It was all rather last minute, but I was so relieved when I saw the pictures that the headpiece exactly matched Amanda’s dress as I hadn’t even seen it. Usually I would have had time for a few private consultations with my client.

“The publicity I have enjoyed from Amanda’s photographs being flashed all over the world has been enormous and really raised my profile as a designer.

“Amanda was a perfect model and has been very supportive.”

Jane has also designed and created headpieces for the star competitors of the BBC’s hit show Strictly Come Dancing.

After leaving Belmont Academy, Jane studied design and applied arts – specialising in fashion – at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating with a BA Hons.

Soon after graduating she moved to London determined to work in the film industry

“I was lucky to work both on my own and as part of creative teams on highly acclaimed and award-winning projects,” said Jane.

These include BAFTA award-winning drama See No Evil, The Story of the Moors Murders; the BBC’s hugely popular 19th century costume drama Mansfield Park; and collaborating with the Red Cross as designer of their annual fashion show.

Jane had also designed her own collection which exhibited at the Edinburgh College of Art Young Designers Show, Graduate Fashion Week in Battersea Park, London, and Intervention Platform, for which she was nominated for Scottish Student Fashion Designer of the Year.

“I did work experience after writing numerous letters and then the design co-ordinator for the BBC in Scotland gave me a position working with the costume department for the cast of ‘The Jacket’, filming in Livingston and starring Keira Knightly and produced by George Clooney.

“I met my new husband Oliver Kubicki while working in the film industry, as he was then a stand-by art director. After we got married in Alloway Parish Church this May he decided to leave the business as it isn’t really conducive to family life with erratic and long hours.

“He’s now an architectural technician and hopes to go into property.

“I have a business studio at our home for my millinery business, but mainly meet my clients in their homes to discuss their bespoke pieces.

“It doesn’t matter to me whether they are celebrities or not – ALL my clients are important.”

“They are women who want a luxurious, fabulous product at an affordable price and my designs are hand crafted, using sumptuous materials.

“You can buy fascinators from my current collection or I offer a very personal service designing a bespoke headpiece.

“This service includes an initial consultation discussing fabrics, colour and size, followed by preliminary sketches and swatches. Clients can expect sophisticated jewels, including Swarovski crystals, as well as many types of fine plumage and quills.”

Jane’s mum Irene and dad Laurence, retired principal biomedical scientist for Ayrshire and Arran laboratories, still live in Ayr, and she also has two sisters Laura and Hazel.