How it all started
Welcome To Chemotherapy Headwear…
Having lost both my parents to cancer in my early twenties I am familiar with the rigours of chemotherapy & needs of hair loss patients. I make bespoke dresses under the label Featherstone Frocks (www.featherstonefrocks.com) but in 2011 Lucy, one of my lovely dress clients asked me if I could make some turbans & bandannas for her as she was going through chemotherapy. It is Lucy you see modelling for me on this website. Since then I have been approached by many other ladies who need something pretty, luxurious and a bit more “high end” than the product currently available out there! This is where my inspiration for Chemotherapy Headwear began. I know that I can brighten the day of anyone going through chemotherapy, alopecia or other medical hair loss issues with one of my beautiful handmade headscarves, bandannas, turbans or hats which will make you feel instantly pretty & feminine.
The Fabrics
Having a degree in textiles I am passionate about fabrics and have selected the finest quality cotton, silk, cashmere & bamboo jersey. I also love print and have some wonderful Liberty of London print fabrics to choose from as well as checks & plain fabrics. I use only the best quality fabrics and feel strongly that only natural fabrics will do – no sweaty polyesters here! Only natural fabrics are breathable & wickable which will keep you warm in Winter & cool in Summer. All the fabrics are lightweight so that they are not heavy on your head and they do not look out of place worn indoors. All the fabrics are incredibly soft & tactile and comfortable to wear.
The Nine Styles
I have developed nine different styles that all can be put on in seconds – no fiddly tying of headscarves! All of them are secure & comfortable and fit low at the nape of the neck. Some people look best with a flatter bandanna style while others look better with a bit of extra height & volume. Some people suit their ears tucked under their headscarves or hats while others prefer their ears showing.
It is always worth thinking what you need to compliment your current wardrobe, if you wear a lot of pattern then maybe go for plain coloured headwear; conversely if your wardrobe contains a lot of plain garments then maybe some prints are what you need. My headscarves, bandanas, turbans & hats are certainly a more comfortable, quicker & easier alternative to a wig and less than the cost of a haircut & highlights!
If you want to try on any of the styles or see & feel all the different fabrics then please come & visit me in the privacy of my home in West Sussex where I can help advise which styles & colours or prints suit your face shape, skin & eye colour. Please do email or call me to book a mutually convenient time for an appointment. I am very excited to announce that Chemo Headwear is now stocked at the shop at The Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ where you can try on & buy different colours/prints & styles.
Macmillan Cancer Support
I also have samples at all my local Macmillan centres, including the Fernhurst Centre located at St Richards Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex, & the Macmillan centres at The Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth & University Hospital Southampton. I’m proud to announce that you can also try on & buy a small selection of my hats at The Royal Marsden Hospital Shop, 203 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ.
I run monthly headwear workshops at Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton teaching various ways to tie headscarves, share tips on all aspects of hair loss & an opportunity to try on different styles & colours of ready-tied headscarves, hats and turbans in all shapes, sizes, colours & prints. I also pop up at various Macmillan support groups & Maggie’s Southampton. Please call or email me for the next available workshop date and location.
I am an avid supporter of Macmillan and have decided to donate 5% of all my online proceeds to this charity.
My model, Lucy has now become a life coach specialising in cancer and has written a book about living with cancer (see Amazon link to buy a copy in links section of site) you can contact her directly at consult@cancerismyteacher.com, (www.cancerismyteacher.com).
Claire Featherstone.