‘It started from my own wedding’: Bletchley woman’s tiara business wins rising star award
A Bletchley woman who started her own tiara-making business after being unable to find the tiara she wanted for her wedding, said she was ‘genuinely shocked’ after her success at this year’s UK Business Awards.
Lisa Stephens, who launched Totally Tiaras in 2025, said she was incredibly proud of the success of her young business, after it won the Rising Star Award for Bedfordshire at this year’s regional business awards.
To add to the excitement surrounding Totally Tiaras, since last month the business has been showcasing its products at a space at The Olde Watermill Shopping Village in Barton.
“Totally Tiaras really started from my own wedding,” Lisa told the Citizen.
“When I was looking for a tiara for myself, I just couldn't find exactly what I wanted, so I decided to make my own.
“I absolutely loved the process, and it grew from there.
“I launched Totally Tiaras in 2025, creating handmade tiaras, headbands, hair pieces and jewellery for weddings, proms, birthdays and other special occasions.
“What I love most is that every piece is a little bit different and has its own story.”
Lisa has a particular passion for vintage jewellery and uses vintage and upcycled jewellery, some of which dates back to the 1920s, in many of her designs.
Explaining the process of creating the tiaras Lisa said: “A lot of the work is done by hand, building up the design with crystals, beads, vintage jewellery and other details.
“I also make the tiaras on flexible, lightweight bands because I think something can look beautiful without being uncomfortable to wear.”
Lisa said it was impossible to choose a favourite design or project she had worked on but added that the feedback she had received about her creations was particularly special.
“One bride told me that I had created the tiara she had dreamed of wearing since she was a little girl, which was such an incredible thing to hear,” she said.
“I also created a bespoke tiara for a lady's 50th birthday, which her husband secretly commissioned as a surprise for her.
“She was completely blown away when she received it and said that wearing it made her feel like a real princess on her birthday.
“I love being part of moments like that as for me, that's what Totally Tiaras is about.
“I'm not just making something beautiful to wear - I'm creating something connected to a memory or a special moment in someone's life, and hopefully something they'll treasure for years to come.”
Since last month Lisa has had the opportunity to showcase her products at The Olde Watermill Shopping Village in Barton, which she said came at a ‘really exciting’ time for the business.
“Having mainly promoted and sold through my website, social media, wedding fayres and events, I really wanted somewhere that people could actually see the pieces in person and try them on,” Lisa explained.
“The Olde Watermill felt like a great fit because it has that lovely independent shopping feel and people go there specifically to browse and discover something a little bit different.
“It has given Totally Tiaras another audience and, importantly, a physical presence.
“Buying a tiara or hair piece can be quite a personal decision, so being able to actually pick one up, see how it catches the light and try it on makes such a difference.”
Totally Tiaras was praised by judges for combining traditional craftsmanship with resourceful and sustainable design and has been recognised for “turning a personal creative project into an emerging accessories brand with a recognisable identity and a strong emphasis on individuality.”
Lisa said she was ‘genuinely shocked’ at winning the award adding: “Totally Tiaras is still a relatively young business, so to have what I've created recognised with an award means such a lot to me.
“When you run a small business, so much of the work happens behind the scenes and you're constantly wondering whether you're making the right decisions, so receiving that recognition has been a huge confidence boost.
“Going forward, I want to continue growing Totally Tiaras while keeping the things that make it special.
“I don't want it to become mass-produced - the handmade, personal side of the business is really important to me.
“The support I've received for the business, particularly following the award, has been incredible and I'm genuinely very grateful for it.”