Velvet Renegades: The Ultimate Styling Guide with Sarah Kate Byrne

Frida

“There was only one Renegade that came to mind when designing this collection – Sarah Kate Byrne. I envisioned her galloping through the streets of London dressed head to toe in couture, screeching to a halt, Guinness in hand, outside The Nags Head” - Jess.

When designing, it’s always more fun to create with a muse in mind, as it brings the collection to life. With SKB's flair for teaming the contemporary with the classic, it felt only right to collaborate with the ultimate Renegade to both style and model our collection, adding a touch of authenticity to the entire process.

So, we sat down with SKB, the ultimate Renegade, to debunk everything from fashion fads to styling and what the meaning of the word ‘Renegade’ means to her. 

Frida

WHAT INSPIRED EACH OF THESE LOOKS?

When SKB first saw the collection, she instinctively matched each hat to a persona: “classic cowgirl but a badass” for the Belle Starr, sharp and feminine tailoring for The Oakley, and the unexpected glamour of a “sexy saloon girl” for The Lazaro. The Rose Hart Veil became a “Rebel Bride” drifting through a painting by Millais; the Etta carried the elegance of traditional racewear; and Frida was styled to show adaptability.

Rather than styling for aesthetics, SKB created her own interpretations of a Velvet Renegade. Her avoidance of fashion fads allowed her to embrace unique and experimental looks in true Renegade fashion. 

The Rose Hart Veil

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE IN THE COLLECTION?

SKB’s standout was non-negotiable: The Frida—a Cordoban-inspired hat - long-admired silhouette by SKB. But for Velvet Renegades, that functional shape was transformed! With quills, feathers, and veiling, Frida is a hat that transforms the familiar into a statement.  

“Jess totally “coutured” it up by putting porcupine quills, feathers, and veiling, making it sexy. That is my standout because she took a shape that I loved and elevated it.”

When SKB styled the Frida, she wore it with a charity shop find, a gorgeous slinky dress, and statement jewellery from Annoushka.

Frida

 HOW DID THESE COUTURE HATS MAKE YOU FEEL?

"They're feminine, but powerful looks, whilst being comfortably elegant."

A testament to the empowering and confidence-boosting personalities of these AW Couture pieces. 

Etta - Burgundy (also available in Navy)

 WHAT DOES A “VELVET RENEGADE” MEAN TO YOU?

To SKB, a Velvet Renegade can be perfectly summed up as “Rebellious yet refined.” An actual Renegade resists the pressure to conform to the herd mentality of trends that are so readily accepted and followed in today's climate. 

Admitting - 

 “I definitely do not follow convention or fashion trends. I see quality, and I look at something, and I think it's beautiful! I want to look back at an outfit and think, Oh, that was elegant and timeless. I don't want it to look faddy and dated. And nine times out of ten, I will say no to things that are on trend, because I know they don't suit me.” 

The Velvet Renegade concept embodies this spirit of non-conformity and timeless elegance, celebrating individuality and personal style. SKB’s styling echoes our understanding of the word renegade, pushing conventions as a means of bold self-expression. The addition of velvet injects softness, a feminine counterbalance to the rebellious edge. Velvet Renegades fearlessly reconstructs traditional millinery styles and techniques.  

The Oakley

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WANTING TO WEAR A HAT FROM THIS COLLECTION?

So often, people convince themselves that they don't suit hats. The truth is, it isn’t the hat at all; it’s the fear of standing out!

As a stylist, SKB sees this all the time, and her advice is simple: “Embrace the stare!” More often than not, it’s admiration. Laughing as she recalls striding through an airport recently in her full cowboy get-up - boots, long coat, and a cowboy hat - and watching the whole atmosphere shift around her.

"It’s like walking through with a celebrity," she says. "You realise very quickly that the stares aren't judgment - they're positive vibes."

Frida

When it comes to styling, SKB offers a brilliant analogy:

“I think of the body as a house, and your hat is the roof. If the roof doesn't fit, then it's not going to look right.”

So, here’s a cheat sheet to the perfect “roof” - 

Balance the Silhouette: Bigger brims tend to lend themselves better to longer hems, which helps balance the visual weight. So, whether you opt for a longer skirt or dress, wide-legged trousers, or a statement trench coat, adding length to the lower body creates a harmonious balance throughout.

Open the Face: Don’t hide behind the brim. Wearing the hat slightly further back on your head will soften the line of the brim, helping frame your face and showcase your features.

Honour the Origins: There is always inspiration in tradition. Spanish styles look fabulous with boxy jackets, while cowboy styles can be dressed down with jeans or instantly elevated with a blazer.

Mix High and Low: Don't save hats for weddings. Pair a ‘saloon girl’ hat with a vintage ball gown for a party or dress it down with denim for a casual look. Do something outrageous and contradictory, I bet your outfit will be not only a huge hit but also the most memorable!

Belle Star

FINALLY, WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO BEING A RENEGADE?

As SKB summed it up, a renegade is someone who doesn’t conform to the norm, not in her work, her friendships, or even her sense of style. SKB’s renegade is “non-pari” - beyond compare - believing that the only real secret to being a renegade is trusting your own instincts and sense of self.

“Choose your own path, do your own thing, wear what you love. Sometimes it's the harder way, but ultimately, it's more fulfilling.”

In other words, a renegade isn't trying to rebel; a renegade is just not trying to be anything other than themselves.

The Lazaro - Black