John Nollet: crowning glories

Statement-making handmade hair accessories

It was while working as a hair stylist to stars, including Nicole Kidman, Monica Bellucci, Uma Thurman and Vanessa Paradis, that John Nollet (fourth picture) had “the initial spark to create hair jewels”. The charming, Paris-based haute couturier of hair expanded his repertoire to include one-of-a-kind, handmade accessories that can range from feather-festooned barrettes (€600) to elaborate headbands and tiaras (€1,000-€7,000 and upwards), incorporating pearls, silk and raffia, often with the help of master embroiderers Métiers d’Art and Lemarié Ateliers.

Nollet delights in working with clients one on one – whether at his jewel-box salons at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme and Hôtel Cheval Blanc in Courchevel, or by email and phone. Most of his commissions are for special occasions – weddings, film premieres, black-tie soirées – and designed to enhance a specific outfit. For those interested in a subtle flourish, clips – or “sparks”, as Nollet calls them – can be created in hues of gold, silver and black to add a special flicker to cascading locks. Dramatic looks, however, are a Nollet strength; his Night Queen plume (€2,240, first picture), for example, is a statement-making accent to a traditional ponytail crafted in real hair of varying shades. Feathers (second and third pictures) are another signature, often embellished with intricate beadwork, and designs cost between €1,200-€5,000, depending on the complexity of the piece.