STYLE
AN ENCHANTED EVENING
As Melbourne heads toward another Spring Racing Carnival, the country’s milliners have already had their moment in the spotlight – at a Collins Street gala that doubled as a preview of the headwear about to hit the track.
WORDS JO PETERSON
T he Millinery Australia Design and Student Awards have run for years, showcasing the talent and craftsmanship central to Australia's racing fashion culture and giving milliners a platform to explore new ideas. Held in July, the event recognised outstanding achievements in both the Design Award and Student Award, with guests surrounded by spectacular headwear as they admired the winning designs. This year’s Design Award challenged milliners to interpret the theme ‘Enchanted’, resulting in an impressive collection of designs exploring fantasy, storytelling and imagination through exceptional craftsmanship. Entries were judged anonymously by Hall of Fame member Sandra Forrester, milliner and educator Catherine Kelly, and VRC Events Producer Christy Lougoon, reflecting the close ties between Millinery Australia and Fashions on the Field. Victoria’s Rose Hudson was awarded first place for Grimhilde, a design inspired by the infamous Queen from Snow White and her poisoned apple. Second place
went to fellow Victorian Catherine Storm for Spellbound , capturing the movement of a magical spell, while third place was awarded to Tracey Tau, also of Victoria, for Where the Ocean Dreams , an intricately beaded creation inspired by a giant clam shell and mythical underwater worlds. The remaining Top 10 finalists were Julia Watson, Christine Waring, Robynne Dowd, Felicity Northeast, Lynette Lim, Sue Younis and Kelly Maskell, highlighting the depth and diversity of Australian millinery talent. Millinery Australia Patron Stephen Jones OBE selected Bloomspell by Lynette Lim as the Patron’s Pick (known as ‘the Jonesy’) Award, and photographer Richard Shaw presented his Photographer’s Pick to Jo Peterson for Kaleidoscope . The People’s Choice Award produced the closest result in the competition’s history, ending in a first-ever tie between Sue Younis and Kelly Maskell. Now in its eighth year, the Millinery Australia Student Award continues to nurture emerging talent from around Australia. Coordinated by President Georgia Skelton, this year’s theme,
‘Curiosity’, encouraged students to explore their own ideas through personal inquisitiveness. Judging was undertaken by Hall of Fame recipient Michele Cameron, Treasurer Lynette Lim and member Fiona Cooper, who also presented the Mary Lock Encouragement Award. First place went to Uri Bouman for Before the Search Bar , with Pam Kelly taking second place for Ah, Gotcha . Third place was awarded to Rachael Fenselau for Ersatz , who also received the Mary Lock Encouragement Award. The Student Award once again showcased the depth of emerging talent, with entrants presenting thoughtful, individual responses to the theme. With another outstanding year complete, Millinery Australia continues to celebrate the craftsmanship that makes Australian millinery a defining feature of the Spring Racing Carnival – and these award-winning designers are sure to inspire racegoers.
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