Brides swooning over the sparkling tiaras donned by the haughty ladies of “Downton Abbey” can now festoon themselves with similar coiffures from one of the show’s talented designers.
Andrew Prince, whose glittering crowns, bracelets and necklaces have accessorized the costumes of Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), the Dowager Countess (Dame Maggie Smith) and Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), recently launched a collection of tiaras and jewels for mere commoners, available at Kleinfeld Bridal and Bergdorf Goodman.
Prince began fashioning crowns as a child, stringing copper wire with beads he tugged off his mother’s wedding dress. “Tiaras are the most useless and the most fantastic,” he tells Alexa. “They always make a lady feel better.”
Priced from $70 for jewelry and $625 for tiaras (made of phosphor bronze and Swarovski crystals), his creations combine elements of Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras, resulting in timeless glamour.
And while tiaras were once solely for married ladies and reserved for parties in private homes (never public outings or even hotels), “You can wear one anywhere today,” Prince assures. “Even gardening.”
“Downton Abbey” Season 5 debuts Jan. 4 on PBS’ “Masterpiece.”