All Blog Posts Tagged 'Christine Amanda' - Learn How To Make Hats Online | Hat Academy Millinery Courses2024-03-29T15:58:26Zhttps://hatacademy.com/profiles/blog/feed?tag=Christine+Amanda&xn_auth=noBlock Maker's Choicetag:hatacademy.com,2024-03-19:6485913:BlogPost:3649672024-03-19T05:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/block-maker-s-choice" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402079683?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640"></img></a> Hat Blocks Australia team Darryll and Renee Osborne recommend this very popular <a href="https://hatblocksaustralia.com.au/oval-fascinators#High%20Arch%20Duchess" rel="noopener" target="_blank">High Arch Duchess block</a>. It features a soft duck tail and a deep curved arched base. As it is not a head fit but the high arch allows the shape to perch firmly on either side of the…</p>
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/block-maker-s-choice" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402079683?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640" class="align-center"/></a>Hat Blocks Australia team Darryll and Renee Osborne recommend this very popular <a href="https://hatblocksaustralia.com.au/oval-fascinators#High%20Arch%20Duchess" target="_blank" rel="noopener">High Arch Duchess block</a>. It features a soft duck tail and a deep curved arched base. As it is not a head fit but the high arch allows the shape to perch firmly on either side of the wearers head, to give a jaunty appeal. Measurements are 7.5cm long and 6.5cm wide. If you have any Block questions contact <a href="https://hatblocksaustralia.com.au/stuff-we-want-you-to-know" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Darryll or Renee</a> for their expert advice.<br/> <br/>
<a href="https://hatblocksaustralia.com.au/oval-fascinators#High%20Arch%20Duchess" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402080076?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640" class="align-center"/></a></p>New Velvet Flowers Lessontag:hatacademy.com,2024-03-08:6485913:BlogPost:3648732024-03-08T04:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/velvet-flowers-live-lesson"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398504289?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Discover essential techniques for working with velvet fabric and create gorgeous millinery florals. <br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/velvet-flowers-live-lesson">» Learn more</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/velvet-flowers-live-lesson"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398504289?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Discover essential techniques for working with velvet fabric and create gorgeous millinery florals. <br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/velvet-flowers-live-lesson">» Learn more</a></p>Resizing Blocks Lessontag:hatacademy.com,2024-02-19:6485913:BlogPost:3644752024-02-19T22:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/resizing-blocks-live-lesson"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12385090086?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Join Louise Macdonald and learn to modify hat blocks that reflect your creative vision.<br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/resizing-blocks-live-lesson">» Learn more</a></p>
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/resizing-blocks-live-lesson"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12385090086?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Join Louise Macdonald and learn to modify hat blocks that reflect your creative vision.<br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/resizing-blocks-live-lesson">» Learn more</a></p>Custom Alice Bands Lessontag:hatacademy.com,2024-01-31:6485913:BlogPost:3645512024-01-31T03:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/custom-alice-bands-live-lesson"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12369176667?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640" class="align-center"/></a>Create tailored Alice Bands with tutor Sophie Allport, designed from the ground up.<br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/custom-alice-bands-live-lesson">» Learn more</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/custom-alice-bands-live-lesson"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12369176667?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640" class="align-center"/></a>Create tailored Alice Bands with tutor Sophie Allport, designed from the ground up.<br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/custom-alice-bands-live-lesson">» Learn more</a></p>Live Lesson Schedule 2024tag:hatacademy.com,2024-01-24:6485913:BlogPost:3647282024-01-24T00:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/live-lesson-schedule-2024?xd8ngruvo5qxigp5dd98o22amyq4x0ufxd8ngruvo5qxigp5dd98o22amyq4x0uf&xd8ngruvo5qxigp5dd98o22amyq4x0ufxd8ngruvo5qxigp5dd98o22amyq4x0uf" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12365531901?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640"></img></a> We are excited to announce the schedule of Live Lessons that will be held over the coming months, covering a range of creative millinery topics and guided by your favourite tutors.…</p>
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/live-lesson-schedule-2024?xd8ngruvo5qxigp5dd98o22amyq4x0ufxd8ngruvo5qxigp5dd98o22amyq4x0uf&xd8ngruvo5qxigp5dd98o22amyq4x0ufxd8ngruvo5qxigp5dd98o22amyq4x0uf" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12365531901?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640" class="align-center"/></a>We are excited to announce the schedule of Live Lessons that will be held over the coming months, covering a range of creative millinery topics and guided by your favourite tutors. <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/live-lessons" target="_self" rel="noopener">» Live Lessons</a></p>
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<div class="elfsight-app-81d252aa-5d6a-48a5-876e-f0ae3d947105"></div>Millinery Highlights 2023tag:hatacademy.com,2023-12-25:6485913:BlogPost:3639842023-12-25T22:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=%232023"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12335976260?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>We invite you to explore this year's highlights from Hat Academy and the millinery industry. Best wishes in the holiday season from the Hat Academy Team - thank you so much for your support throughout the year.<br/> <a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=%232023">» 2023 Highlights</a></p>
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=%232023"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12335976260?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>We invite you to explore this year's highlights from Hat Academy and the millinery industry. Best wishes in the holiday season from the Hat Academy Team - thank you so much for your support throughout the year.<br/> <a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=%232023">» 2023 Highlights</a></p>New: Sculpting Millinery Textilestag:hatacademy.com,2023-12-20:6485913:BlogPost:3639502023-12-20T03:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/sculpting-millinery-textiles-live-lesson"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12331444662?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> Join Waltraud Reiner as we explore millinery textiles, including Tinalak and Silk Abaca, and learn how to manipulate the materials to create a headpiece.<br></br> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/sculpting-millinery-textiles-live-lesson">» Learn…</a></p>
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/sculpting-millinery-textiles-live-lesson"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12331444662?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Join Waltraud Reiner as we explore millinery textiles, including Tinalak and Silk Abaca, and learn how to manipulate the materials to create a headpiece.<br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/sculpting-millinery-textiles-live-lesson">» Learn more</a></p>Cynthia Jones-Bryson 2023 Millinery Awardtag:hatacademy.com,2023-12-18:6485913:BlogPost:3638932023-12-18T04:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/millinery-award-2023" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12327855656?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> Congratulations to Cynthia Jones-Bryson, whose exceptional talent has earned her the prestigious 2023 Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award, a testament to her imagination and skill. Winning this Millinery award for the third time is phenomenal and stands as a testament to Cynthia's ongoing innovation.<br></br> <br></br></em></p>
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<p><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/millinery-award-2023" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12327855656?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Congratulations to Cynthia Jones-Bryson, whose exceptional talent has earned her the prestigious 2023 Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award, a testament to her imagination and skill. Winning this Millinery award for the third time is phenomenal and stands as a testament to Cynthia's ongoing innovation.<br/> <br/>
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<p><strong>The perfect Trifecta on Melbourne Cup Day, what did this win mean to you personally?<br/></strong> Firstly let me say it was an absolute thrill, but very surreal to win this award. As it sinks in personally it feels a bit validating as well – I work hard at developing my skills and trying new things.</p>
<p><strong>What is the name of this piece?</strong><br/> ‘Sway With Me’ is the name of the headpiece. Inspired by the song Sway by Michael Buble.</p>
<p><strong>How did the unique material used come about?</strong><br/> I found the material in a charity shop many years ago and only rediscovered I had it earlier in the year and I am still in the experimentation stage with it. The material is very lightweight making it comfortable to wear, two prototypes were produced to achieve the perfect fit.</p>
<p><strong>What inspired your choice of colours?</strong><br/> I love colour and playing with combinations. Pink and green were a strong trend this year (lots of this colour combo at Flemington). I decided to go for chartreuse and fuchsia and dyed the chartreuse silk for the flowers.</p>
<p><strong>The recent Gala event at NGV was a standout moment. How does their acquisition of your work hold significance for you?</strong><br/> It is truly an honour and one I will always treasure – its gives me a bench mark to design and create by.</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12327853457?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></p>
<p><br/> Cynthia Jones-Bryson returns to the <a href="https://millinery.info/resource/podcast-and-interviews/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Millinery.info</a> podcast to share about her recent winning piece for the Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award. As part of the prize, Cynthia attended the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Gala, and the piece is now acquired by the Gallery with thanks to the Victorian Racing Club (VRC).</p>
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<p><strong>» Discover more from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cynthiajonesbrysonmillinery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@cynthiajonesbrysonmillinery</a></strong></p>Behind The Hat: Olya Ryjenkotag:hatacademy.com,2023-12-05:6485913:BlogPost:3637892023-12-05T05:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/behind-the-hat-olya-ryjenko" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12308908900?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> Congratulations to Olya Ryjenko as the recipient of the First Prize Novice Award in Hatters Hattember 2023 Millinery Competition. Olya shares with us her inspiration and the design skills she used to create this winning whimsical piece.<br></br> <span style="font-size: 8pt;">Photo: Hattember</span></em></p>
<p><strong>The theme for your category was “Happy Hatting” and your…</strong></p>
<p><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/behind-the-hat-olya-ryjenko" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12308908900?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Congratulations to Olya Ryjenko as the recipient of the First Prize Novice Award in Hatters Hattember 2023 Millinery Competition. Olya shares with us her inspiration and the design skills she used to create this winning whimsical piece.<br/> <span style="font-size: 8pt;">Photo: Hattember</span></em></p>
<p><strong>The theme for your category was “Happy Hatting” and your lobster creation certainly made us all smile. When you received your curated bag of Millinery supplies did your inspiration come immediately?</strong> <br/> This might sound a little odd but I thought of the lobster as soon as I opened the materials pack – everything I received was red so it seemed like an obvious choice to me. I did initially spend time illustrating a number of other design ideas that were more traditional but my heart was really with the lobster concept so I decided to just go for it and see if I could make it work. <br/>
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<strong>Amongst all the entries your headpiece certainly popped out in colour and shape as a form of surreal art. Is this your usual design styling?</strong><br/>
As a novice milliner, I’m still discovering my preferences and enjoying trying different methods and styles. However, I’ve made a couple of pieces this year that quite overtly take inspiration from surrealist art. It’s an inviting genre for statement pieces that are injected with fun, absurdity and a sense of not taking oneself too seriously. It is definitely a style I keep gravitating towards and will continue to explore into the future. For me, this approach is emblematic of the fun you can have when you set aside the notion of traditional design aesthetics, particularly if the technical execution is done well. This is something I am continuing to work on and have some interesting ideas in mind for my next piece!<br/>
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<strong>To shape the sinamay did you have suitable blocks or how did you improvise?</strong><br/>
I had to do a bit of improvising. The lobster’s head was blocked using a couple of sinamay layers on a small button block. The claws were blocked with 2 layers on a slightly asymmetric toque/fez style crown block. Once dry, I removed the blocked sinamay from the block, marked the depth and trimmed it to the marking. I then squished the sinamay down to create a little fold and voilà, the claw was formed. The sinamay was very forgiving and I was pleasantly surprised that both claws could be folded symmetrically without issue.</p>
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<p><em>Experimentation process.</em><br/> <br/>
<strong>What first sparked your interest in Millinery?</strong> <br/>
In my 20s I was obsessed with early twentieth century fashion with a huge interest in the hats and shoes of the 1920s to the 1940s. I briefly tried my hand at making custom reproduction clothing from that era for clients but eventually realised I really just wanted to make hats! I started making hats from vintage and reproduction patterns and then came across old instructional books from the early twentieth century that explained blocking and wiring. At the time, I felt like I was out of my depth so decided to start my millinery journey formally at TAFE College.<br/>
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<strong>What is your previous experience with millinery competitions?</strong><br/>
This is my third competition entry. Last year’s Hattember was my first and I was very proud to have been selected as a finalist in the Novice category. I strongly believe that competitions are a wonderful way for student or novice milliners to improve their skills. You may not know what materials you’re going to receive so you may end up having to really push yourself to work with materials or techniques you’ve never tried before. I think there’s a sense of validation there from being able to pull something together to a brief and challenge yourself. The more you do it, the better you get! You are also forced to work to a deadline which is fantastic training for working with clients. <br/>
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<strong>Can you tell us about the use of veiling in the design?</strong><br/>
The veiling was part of my materials pack and I was really pleased – I had just watched <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/louise-macdonald-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louise Macdonald’s</a> <em>Different Hat, Same Veil</em> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/live-lessons" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Live Lesson</a> on Hat Academy and at the time was particularly struck with her demo of making tiny feather claws to accent veiling. Serendipitously, I watched this lesson at the point where I was deciding which of my designs to proceed with and it was a perfect match - I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to add this detail to the veiling of my headpiece – it was meant to be!</p>
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<p><em>Design process.</em><br/> <br/>
<strong>Judges place emphasis on finish and wearability. What steps did you take to ensure you had accomplished this criteria?</strong> <br/>
Judges’ feedback from the last hat competition I entered suggested I most needed to improve in these two areas so I got to practising! In particular, I focused on making wired headbands for a variety of hats and headpieces of different sizes and angles that require different support structures to hold them in place comfortably and securely. One headpiece is actually for an upcoming competition and is 70cm wide! By the time Hattember rolled around, I felt confident I could create a support that was both solid and attractive.</p>
<p>For the finish criterion, I leaned a bit further into the idea of millinery being ‘slow fashion’ and really took the time to practise keeping stitches small and even, hiding raw edges, making sure that surfaces are crisp – all the bread and butter millinery technique things. And if something didn’t look quite right, carefully unpicking and starting again. My motto is: “if the hat looks more like it belongs to a school Easter hat parade than to a millinery competition, undo and try again!” To translate for anyone who isn’t in Australia, it’s about being conscious that millinery as a practice needs to be executed with a degree of finesse or it can verge on looking like craft. <br/> <br/>
<strong>What was the biggest challenge creating this stand out Headpiece?</strong> <br/>
I had several designs in mind for executing the lobster hat, each involving different combinations of materials and techniques – some came in the pack and others I owned already or purchased to play around with. I was experimenting and had a few toiles going simultaneously, and had reached a point where I couldn’t decide which one to proceed with. Then I had a fortuitous chat with a peer who gave me some great advice: “just stick to the materials in the pack”. Simple and perhaps obvious but I was able to move forward after that without overcomplicating the design or getting overwhelmed with all the experimentation. I will be taking that advice with me to all future Hattembers!<br/>
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<strong>What does this win mean to you personally and for your branding?</strong><br/>
I can’t adequately express how validating this win was! I think the best part was feeling like there is a place for me as a budding milliner amongst the amazing talent of the millinery community. This has given me more confidence to pursue my own style and approach. It has also cemented the idea that getting involved and trying things can have really amazing and unexpected outcomes. I really just feel a sense of excitement about the future!<br/>
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<strong>Thanks Olya, enjoy your prize of a 12 months subscription to <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/pages/studio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hat Academy Studio+</a></strong> <br/>
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» More from <a href="https://www.hatporium.com/pe-po-pa-hats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Olya Ryjenko</a></p>
<p>» <a href="https://hattember.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hattember Competition</a></p>Lillian Frank Millinery Award Winnertag:hatacademy.com,2023-11-07:6485913:BlogPost:3638102023-11-07T05:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/lillian-frank-millinery-award-winner" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12287482488?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p>Congratulations to Cynthia Jones-Bryson, whose exceptional talent has earned her the prestigious Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award, a testament to her imagination and skill. We look forward to seeing Cynthia continue to inspire us with her creativity.…</p>
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<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/lillian-frank-millinery-award-winner" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12287482488?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Congratulations to Cynthia Jones-Bryson, whose exceptional talent has earned her the prestigious Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award, a testament to her imagination and skill. We look forward to seeing Cynthia continue to inspire us with her creativity.</p>
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<p><strong>» Behind The Hat:</strong> <a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/behind-the-hat-cynthia-jones-bryson">Cynthia Jones-Bryson</a></p>
<p><br/></p>Matcho Suba Interviewtag:hatacademy.com,2023-10-24:6485913:BlogPost:3634762023-10-24T22:30:46.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://www.hatporium.com/discover/matcho-suba"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12264434454?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Melbourne based Fashion Designer Matcho Suba, has recently embraced millinery in his styling portfolio.<br/> <a href="https://www.hatporium.com/discover/matcho-suba">» Read more</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hatporium.com/discover/matcho-suba"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12264434454?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Melbourne based Fashion Designer Matcho Suba, has recently embraced millinery in his styling portfolio.<br/> <a href="https://www.hatporium.com/discover/matcho-suba">» Read more</a></p>Wendy Scully Interviewtag:hatacademy.com,2023-09-20:6485913:BlogPost:3626952023-09-20T01:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://www.hatporium.com/discover/wendy-scully" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12228252052?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Discover the world of Wendy Scully, a seasoned milliner whose passion for art has given rise to truly unique hat designs.<br/> <a href="https://www.hatporium.com/discover/wendy-scully" target="_blank" rel="noopener">» Read more</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hatporium.com/discover/wendy-scully" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12228252052?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Discover the world of Wendy Scully, a seasoned milliner whose passion for art has given rise to truly unique hat designs.<br/> <a href="https://www.hatporium.com/discover/wendy-scully" target="_blank" rel="noopener">» Read more</a></p>Millinery For Beginnerstag:hatacademy.com,2023-08-23:6485913:BlogPost:3627502023-08-23T05:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p>Explore in-depth courses for novice milliners: crafting unique hats, from material selection to essential techniques for beginners. Ignite your creativity and embark on a rewarding millinery journey, expressing your individual style through beautiful handcrafted headwear.</p>
<div class="video-container"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="405" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d9TMjJg4gQU?rel=0&showinfo=0&wmode=opaque" width="720"></iframe>
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<p><br></br> »…</p>
<p>Explore in-depth courses for novice milliners: crafting unique hats, from material selection to essential techniques for beginners. Ignite your creativity and embark on a rewarding millinery journey, expressing your individual style through beautiful handcrafted headwear.</p>
<div class="video-container"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d9TMjJg4gQU?rel=0&showinfo=0&wmode=opaque" width="720" height="405" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
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<p><br/> » <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/millinery-for-beginners" target="_self" rel="noopener">Millinery For Beginners</a></p>Learn Halo Crownstag:hatacademy.com,2023-08-22:6485913:BlogPost:3627402023-08-22T10:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/halo-crowns-courses" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12202008075?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> Take advantage of our specialized Halo Crowns courses to elevate your millinery artistry. Develop your creative skills while crafting stunning halo crowns while mastering techniques such as material selection, sculpting, and embellishment.Let your unique creations adorn the world today.<br></br> »…</p>
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/halo-crowns-courses" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12202008075?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Take advantage of our specialized Halo Crowns courses to elevate your millinery artistry. Develop your creative skills while crafting stunning halo crowns while mastering techniques such as material selection, sculpting, and embellishment.Let your unique creations adorn the world today.<br/> » <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/halo-crowns-courses" target="_self">Halo Crowns</a></p>Behind the Hat: Araks Nazariantag:hatacademy.com,2023-08-22:6485913:BlogPost:3629242023-08-22T01:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/araks-nazarian-interview/?139194342527169458251391943425271694582513919434252716945825139194342527169458258345489636664366778690864033442983454896366643667786908640334429" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12201946857?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> Congratulations to Araks Nazarian as the recipient of First Prize Award in the 2023 Millinery Australia Student Design Award competition. Take a look behind the hat to discover Araks' inspiration and…</em></p>
<p><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/araks-nazarian-interview/?139194342527169458251391943425271694582513919434252716945825139194342527169458258345489636664366778690864033442983454896366643667786908640334429" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12201946857?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Congratulations to Araks Nazarian as the recipient of First Prize Award in the 2023 Millinery Australia Student Design Award competition. Take a look behind the hat to discover Araks' inspiration and creativity.</em></p>
<p><strong>What is the significance in your choice of a flowering Gum Nut to depict the theme “ALIVE” ?</strong><br/> As of late, I have been drawn to the vibrancy and delicate nature of the flowering gum. The colours and structure of the blossom is mesmerising to me. Australian Native flowers are incredibly beautiful, and as they tend to begin blooming earlier than "Western" spring flowers, we are blessed with a pallet of bright colours all year round. The resilience of our native flora is also something to be admired. The way they push up through fire ravaged bush to recreate life is something I feel not only I can relate to as an Armenian and a descendant of a Genocide Survivor, but also embrace within the Indigenous Cultures of Australia. This country has a dark past, but we can allow it to bloom and create beauty in our lives from here on.</p>
<p><strong>The petals are aglow and alive in colour. How you dyed these in shades of yellow to crimson red? </strong><br/> Thank you! As a student member of <a href="https://millineryaustralia.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Millinery Australia</a>, I was assigned a mentor to help me with the design and creation process. I sent through to her multiple options, including peacock hurls and fringing, however we found that the look of the incredibly narrow crinoline tubing (4mm) had the best movement given the size of the piece and also in assisted with the overall silhouette. I originally had my heart set on just red, but unfortunately, the only supplier of red crin tube in Australia, House of Adorn, had a small amount, and they suggested to me to spray white tubing with Florist Spray to achieve the colour I wanted. I started playing around with this idea and came up with the ombre you see on the fringing on the hat. Needless to say I was quite surprised at myself for coming up with that, and of course very excited!</p>
<p>I'd like to note, that pulling the thread out of the tubing was a crucial detail I wanted to make sure I paid attention to. This changed the length of the tubing, so it took me some time to figure out exactly how long to cut each piece before I pulled the two threads out of each piece one by one with tweezers. This alone was over 9 hours of work! I attached them using a feather flower technique, with different layers of sinamay between, and made sure I had some of the "wild" pieces curl up all over the place, and of course out of the eyes of the wearer.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/araks_nazarian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12201946872?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><strong>To form the nut shape did you have a block in that shape?</strong><br/> As I was using some very old <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/swiss-straw-course" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vintage braid</a>, I needed to allow the braid to tell me how large to make the piece. I did play around with alot of stainless steel bowls, and some blocks thatI have at home, but found the shape of my Kitchenaid bowl was the perfect look. As I couldn't block a base properly around it because of the handle, I used foss shape for the first time and tried a little mould of it, before using it to guide the braid. The point is freeform, the top little "bulb" is shaped around a stainless steel semi sphere mould I use for pastry work, and the base just became a natural form, sometimes tidying it up with the use of steam and different size bowls, and sometimes altering the way I stretched the braid to help create the shape.</p>
<p>The nut shape has no base, however the "skull cap" is yellow raffia fabric, as I wanted that grassy nature of the scrubland in the Australian bush, covered with black sinamay so you could not see it from the top if any natural imperfections from the braid allowed you to see through.</p>
<p><strong>Share how supportive Supplier House of Adorn has been in your millinery journey?<br/></strong> Even though I signed up to the competition right away, I missed the email that stated it was going to be held the same time as the Associate Design Award! As I was busy on my first solo food styling gig for an upcoming Stan show, my focus was all on that. While waiting on set between takes, I messaged my mentor and apologised that I hadn't been in contact with her. This is when she reminded me that the hat was due in Melbourne Friday Week!</p>
<p>Thankfully I had the braid at home already, and some work went into getting it back to a good workable state, but the crin tube was somewhat a bit of a challenge! The ladies down at <a href="https://www.houseofadorn.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">House of Adorn</a> went out of their way to package my tubing immediately and have it ready for me to organise fed ex to pick it up that afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn't realise you had to not only pay for the pickup but then ring up and book it also, and when the driver had not arrived by 5, they called me to make sure I had it under control, which is when I learned how the fed ex system works. When I didn't have enough, as I said before, they have me a suggestion which I mentioned above, and then they measured every single bit of white and natural tubing they had, even their offcuts, and had it ready for me the next day for a now much better organised Fed ex pick up! I will forever be grateful for their help.</p>
<p>I also need to mention the now two prize packs I have received from them. Not only have I gotten a $50 gift voucher, to purchase whatever I wanted, but also they have sent me a $50 prize pack, both times asking me what I may be interested in experimenting with and what colours I am loving right now.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/araks_nazarian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12201947053?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><strong>What do you enjoy most about millinery?<br/></strong> Millinery has been a way of me quirking up my wardrobe for almost two decades now. I have loved putting together pieces which not only complimented by outfit, but sometimes also the event I was at. Spray painting mini kitchen utensils gold and hiding them in a eucalypt and natural coloured headband, or having a squishy croissant hidden under a wave of curled feathers are just an example of what I have created in the past. During covid, I found myself with no creative outlet, working in a fish shop as a pastry chef was taking its toll, so I signed up to Certificate 3 in Millinery at Ultimo Tafe, and it all went wild from there.</p>
<p><strong>Do you have any tips for millinery novices considering entering the Design Award?</strong><br/> Sign up as a member and take advantage of the mentoring! The two hours you receive, which usually ends up being just a whatever you need scenario, is some of the best support I have had throughout any of my creative careers. The associates volunteer for this, so they are already emotionally invested in making sure whoever they are helping does their absolute best. I have also created a great bond with both my mentors. Georgia Skelton last year and Jo Peterson in 2023 and have been there to help me in many ways after the competition ended when I had questions about other millinery related issues. We have a saying in our Armenian scouts "lift, elevate". Lift yourself and then elevate others with you. These two wonderful ladies have most definitely encompassed this meaning, and are role models I look up to every day while I continue in my journey.<br/>
<br/>
Also, think of your piece as a whole. It is a design award, so don't just create a "hat", but wearability and comfort are VERY important. Alot of my winning points not only lay with the visual impact, but also the wearability of the piece. If you can't put it on and wiggle to your favourite tune, then its not made well enough.</p>
<p><a href="https://millineryaustralia.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12201947096?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><strong>What does this win mean to you personally?</strong> <br/> The win itself was not as incredible as the amazing support I have received from everyone for creating my hat. The social media response was really unexpected given the timeframe in which I managed to finish this piece, and of course the wonderful words and congratulations at the Gala by Milliners I admire was something I will cherish for a very long time. The placing was merely a bonus for me, I got what my heart truly needed from the support at the Gala, and beyond.</p>
<p>It reassured me, that even though I may have some self doubts in my ability to be as good as I would like (standard creative) that there is a lot of support out there, watching my every move and looking forward to what my next steps are in my Millinery career. Everything I have done in my creative past, from Art Department on films, to Sugar showpieces and 3D animation and special effects, has merged into allow me to think outside the box and make pieces that I hope not only myself or milliners will enjoy, but customers aswell as I dive into unknown territory for me in creating my brand.</p>
<p><strong>We love your passion Araks! Enjoy your prize, annual subscription to <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/pages/studio" target="_self">Studio+</a><br/></strong> Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/araks_nazarian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@araks_nazarian</a></p>
<p><strong>» More award winners: <a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=%23behindthehat" target="_self">Behind The Hat</a></strong></p>
<p><br/> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Image Credits:</span><br/>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Model: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/scarlett.mayer_/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@scarlett.mayer_</a></span><br/>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Makeup: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amykennymakeup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@amykennymakeup</a></span><br/>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Photographer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/richshawphoto/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@richshawphoto</a></span><br/>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Photography Producer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lisawattproductions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@lisawattproductions</a></span><br/>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Event host: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/millineryaustralia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@millineryaustralia</a></span></p>
<p></p>Dramatic Bows Lessontag:hatacademy.com,2023-07-17:6485913:BlogPost:3623402023-07-17T03:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/dramatic-bows-live-lesson"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12149771078?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Discover how to create striking statement bows that retain their sculpted form and demand attention.<br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/dramatic-bows-live-lesson">» Learn more</a></p>
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/dramatic-bows-live-lesson"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12149771078?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Discover how to create striking statement bows that retain their sculpted form and demand attention.<br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/dramatic-bows-live-lesson">» Learn more</a></p>Interview: Ana Victoria Mulcahytag:hatacademy.com,2023-06-05:6485913:BlogPost:3557282023-06-05T04:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><strong><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/interview-ana-victoria-mulcahy" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10621335676?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></p>
<p><em>Irish Milliner, Ana Victoria Mulcahy discovered millinery as a perfect fit to express her instinctive creativity she enjoyed since her childhood. Once she made her first hat to attend a wedding “word of mouth “accolades followed and her millinery business evolved to what it is today.</em></p>
<p><strong>What do you love most about…</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/interview-ana-victoria-mulcahy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10621335676?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></p>
<p><em>Irish Milliner, Ana Victoria Mulcahy discovered millinery as a perfect fit to express her instinctive creativity she enjoyed since her childhood. Once she made her first hat to attend a wedding “word of mouth “accolades followed and her millinery business evolved to what it is today.</em></p>
<p><strong>What do you love most about Millinery?</strong><br/> I am a very creative person and I love the idea that with my hands I can create something that will make a person look good and feel good and beautiful. Hats are the expression of one's individual style and the pinnacle of elegance. I believe any outfit can be improved by a hat. I also love the fact that I am part of very important moments in the life of my customers as my hats are worn at weddings, christenings, parties, events and I see that as a big responsibility and an honour.</p>
<p><strong>How did you come into Millinery?</strong><br/> Since I was a little girl I’ve been fascinated with fashion, elegant clothes, beautiful dresses, classic vintage style and specially with hats. I made my first hat when I was 11 years old from an old piece of silk fabric that I transformed into a turban shaped headpiece, which I wore to a school picnic. I designed and made hats as a pastime during my school and university years and since I came to Europe I have completed several tailoring and traditional millinery courses and trainings and I have made hats for family and friends… but it wasn’t until after I attended a friend’s wedding that I started my own business as a milliner.<br/> <br/> For the wedding I handcrafted a beautiful pink oversized saucer hat decorated with flowers and I got so many compliments and enquiries about where I bought my hat that I couldn’t believe! I was overwhelmed by such wonderful feedback and a number of people enquired if I would be willing to design and make hats for them. Over the following months thanks to “Word of mouth” and social media more enquiries and orders followed…</p>
<p><strong>How you would describe your designs?</strong><br/> My hats and headpieces are comtemporary designs, unique and one of a kind, finished to a high standard.</p>
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/profile/show?id=AnaVictoriaMulcahy&" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10621384075?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><strong>What is your ideal customer?</strong><br/> I love the customer that gives me freedom and allows me to be creative as much as I love the customer that tells me exactly what would she/he like for me to create with my hands from nothing. In Ireland, people love hats. Irish people wear hats to many different events, such as weddings, races, ladies day, christenings, fashion events, etc. and also on a daily basis.</p>
<p><strong>What inspires you?</strong><br/> Literally… everything around me, specially beauty and elegance. I love beautiful things… A colour, an animal, a shape, an outfit , a hair style, a flower, pearls and beads, a fabric, a painting...old golden age-era Hollywood films, opera, history, literature, nature in general!</p>
<p><strong>Explain the significance of your brand identity?</strong><br/> Defining the brand identity behind my millinery label is something very important for me. My logo is the heart of my branding assets and it represents me, my personality and the essence of my <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/millinery-courses/products/millinery-business-series-foundations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">business</a>. So when I had to choose a logo, the first thing that came to my mind was a bee!! I totally identify myself with bees… I love bees and I always did!!<br/> The Bee is the symbol of activity, work, diligence, and good order and I am always busy, doing things and I am obsessed with order and organizing things! Because of the nature and amount of bee’s work, ancient legends believed that bees never sleep or sleep very little...like me!!<br/> <br/> The Beehive is like a small kingdom with the queen bee as the ruler… They are very artistic creating patterns used in their nests and they have a strong sense of family and community! They are extremely social!! So much like me!<br/> They also remind me to enjoy the beauty of nature and appreciate little things around. Basically, I am like a little bee… and bees like me! I have never been stung by a bee and there will always be bees wherever I go...they follow me!<br/> My name is Victoria and ”V” is one of my many nicknames...and it sounds like “bee”.</p>
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/profile/show?id=AnaVictoriaMulcahy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10621336657?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><strong>What has been the largest challenge you have faced in millinery?</strong><br/> In 2018 ive got an order from a customer who wanted a particular shape and size. None of my blocks were suitable to achive this and I had no time to order new blocks so i managed to alter the blocks I had (crown and brim) using expanding foam, insulation boards, wire, cardboard, glue and a lot of tape thanks to skills learned from <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/ian-bennett-courses" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ian Bennett</a> in one of the Hat Academy courses. It was such a rewarding feeling. Since then, Ive done the same thing many many times!</p>
<p><strong>If you could invite any milliner to tea who would it be?</strong><br/> I know she is no longer with us in this world, but I would have loved to have tea with Caroline Reboux… An incredible milliner and a successful business woman when fashion was mainly a man's world. I admire her designs and the way she adapted millinery to modern times. She designed many of the shapes we still use today! Such a fantastic pioneer of our trade. I would love to ask her so many questions about shape structures, materials, process and techniques… She designed incredible pieces!</p>
<p><strong>What is your favourite material to work with?</strong><br/> I love to work with all sort of materials… but buckram, felt and leather are always a pleasure to work with. They are my favorite ones! I love the endless posibilities of design that they give me and their versatility.</p>
<p><strong>What’s your best millinery tip?</strong><br/> When the shape of one of my blocks needs to be altered, I cover it with cling film and I apply in layers a thick mix of fine saw dust and glue. Before it hardens I model the mix to the required shape and once it has hardened i sand it for a smooth finish. A life saviour!</p>
<p><strong>Words to live by…</strong><br/> Never is too late to follow your dreams and to do what you like and never stop learning and training. <br/> And also I like a positivity quote I've read long ago… I have everything I need to get anything I want!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.anavictoriamillinery.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">» More from Ana Victoria Mulcahy</a></p>In Memoriam Harold Guinsbergtag:hatacademy.com,2023-05-02:6485913:BlogPost:3612642023-05-02T06:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/in-memoriam-harold-guinsberg" rel="noopener" target="_self"></a><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/in-memoriam-harold-guinsberg" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11053921067?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> <a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/in-memoriam-harold-guinsberg" rel="noopener" target="_self"></a>It is with great sadness and loss I wish to share with you the passing of Australia’s Millinery Patriarch, Harold…</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/in-memoriam-harold-guinsberg" target="_self" rel="noopener"></a><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/in-memoriam-harold-guinsberg" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11053921067?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/in-memoriam-harold-guinsberg" target="_self" rel="noopener"></a>It is with great sadness and loss I wish to share with you the passing of Australia’s Millinery Patriarch, Harold Guinsberg at the age of 97yrs. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt;">“</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Eulogy - “Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but in thankfulness that he was.” </b></p>
<div><br/> Dear friends and family,<br/> <br/> We are gathered here today to remember and honor the life of Harold Guinsberg, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and community member. Harold was a remarkable man who achieved great things from humble beginnings to becoming a successful businessman and entrepreneur.<br/> <br/> Harold began his journey at a young age, leaving Scots College Toowoomba at just 16 years old to start working on the factory floor of HG shirts and Mimi Millinery. He quickly rose through the ranks with hard work and dedication, eventually taking over the business. Under his leadership, HG Shirts and Mimi Millinery thrived. Harold continued to expand his entrepreneurial ventures when he opened Etcetera department store, a one-stop-shop for fashion, millinery, jewelry, baby wear, hosiery and a cafe, among other things. His leadership and determination helped him achieve great success and establish himself as a prominent figure in the fashion industry. <br/> <br/> Over the years Harold's business ventures included the Towermill Motel restaurant and a Gold Coast nightclub demonstrating his ability to take on new challenges and make them succeed. Harold was a man who truly embodied the Aussie spirit of hard work and innovation. He was a true visionary, always looking for the next big opportunity and never afraid to take risks. <br/> <br/> Harold also considered himself a product designer, and he created the Go Keg, a portable high-quality keg tap system. This was quite ironic as Harold was a teetotaler but that did not stop him from pursuing his passion for creating new things. <br/> <br/> In addition to his business success, Harold had a passion for dance, a love he inherited from his father Harry, who was one of Australia's ballroom champions. He was also a talented water skier, and he worked with Keith Williams to instruct water skiers at Sea World on the Gold Coast. His love for water skiing was just one example of his adventurous spirit and his willingness to try new things. <br/> <br/> Harold will be missed by all who knew him. He was a remarkable man who lived a remarkable life. His presence in our lives was a reminder to never give up, to always strive for excellence, and to find joy in the journey. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to hard work will continue to inspire us for years to come.<br/> <br/> While we mourn Harold's passing, we take comfort in the knowledge that he is at peace. He is reunited with his loved ones who have passed before him, and his spirit will live on in the memories and stories we share about him.<br/> <br/> So, let us honor Harold's life by celebrating the many ways he enriched our lives. Let us remember him not only for his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit but for the kind-hearted, generous, and loving man he was. Harold's legacy will live on through his family, his friends, and the many lives he touched throughout his long and successful life.<br/> <br/> Rest in peace, Harold Guinsberg. You will always be remembered with love and admiration.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt;">„<br/> <br/></span></div>
<div><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11053911498?profile=original" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11053911498?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></div>
<div><br/><p><em>We all loved Harold and his passion for Millinery which he willingly shared with us. His wry sense of humour will be missed. I had many conversations with him over the years as I first started buying millinery components from the lower level of his MIMI store in Queen St., Brisbane in 1964.</em></p>
<p><em>Over lunch I shared with Harold a business idea I had but his reply, "You are too old to be doing that Elaine!" My reply, "Come on Harold think about what you were doing at age 75!" </em></p>
<p><em>Thank You Harold for being our friend and mentor.<br/></em> <em>We all loved you so much and will remember you forever. Rest in peace. </em></p>
</div>
<div><em>Elaine Mergard. </em></div>New Fully Feathered Lessontag:hatacademy.com,2023-04-14:6485913:BlogPost:3607842023-04-14T00:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/fully-feathered-live-lesson"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11027837667?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640"></img></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Learn how to create a stunning feather-covered headpiece with guidance from Carole Maher.<br></br> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/fully-feathered-live-lesson">» Watch…</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/fully-feathered-live-lesson"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11027837667?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Learn how to create a stunning feather-covered headpiece with guidance from Carole Maher.<br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/studio/products/fully-feathered-live-lesson">» Watch Trailer</a></p>New Studio+ Monthlytag:hatacademy.com,2023-04-05:6485913:BlogPost:3610472023-04-05T22:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/pages/studio" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11021567683?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Introducing Studio+ monthly, an inspired collection of millinery learning.<br/></em> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/pages/studio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">» Learn more</a></p>
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/pages/studio" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11021567683?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Introducing Studio+ monthly, an inspired collection of millinery learning.<br/></em> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/pages/studio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">» Learn more</a></p>Hats On The Runtag:hatacademy.com,2023-03-13:6485913:BlogPost:3599492023-03-13T05:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/hats-on-the-run" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10996721487?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="740"></img></a> “Let’s get away from it all”…. on the World’s Greatest Hat Adventure! Queensland Milliner, Wendy White of Rockhampton Queensland along with her husband and 4 children dared to Venture where the rest of us fear to tread… but how we wish we could also get away from it all!! The family hit the road when the children were aged 2,5,8 and 9 years of age.…</em></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/hats-on-the-run" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10996721487?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="740" class="align-center"/></a>“Let’s get away from it all”…. on the World’s Greatest Hat Adventure! Queensland Milliner, Wendy White of Rockhampton Queensland along with her husband and 4 children dared to Venture where the rest of us fear to tread… but how we wish we could also get away from it all!! The family hit the road when the children were aged 2,5,8 and 9 years of age. Everyone thought they were ‘nuts’ and so their converted truck, that was their new home was called –“ Truck & Nuts”</em></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Describe how you made your ‘Truck & Nuts’ vehicle your home?<br/></strong> For 18 months we lived in a truck which was originally a furniture removal van. Six of us lived in tight quarters, but it was great fun. We had aircon, full size shower and loo. The Children had 4 single beds on a mezzanine floor above my work area where I had two industrial sewing machines and an industrial press as well as a cutting area. We had a club lounge and table and a make shift kitchen area with running water. We had a small generator that would run the fridge and TV.<span> </span> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10996724062?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="740" class="align-center"/></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>How did your passion for hats start out?<br/></strong> I used to sew children’s clothes for the markets and met a lady named Helen who sold Hessian Hats. I started working for Helen making her fabric hats and she would pay me $5 a hat to make them up. They would come to me cut and I would only have to sew. Later I bought her business when she retired but started making my hats in denim. Firstly, I made them from recycled fabric - from skirts and old jeans. Later I discovered I could buy end of run rolls for $1.00 m so I started using new fabric. </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Where did you set up your first market stall.<br/></strong> My markets were in central Queensland at the start and then we would venture further out to the outback towns where they had their agricultural shows, not only around Queensland but NSW and NT. There were no race day hats back then only my fabric hats. I had about 14 different styles.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Explain the significance of your label “Bush Buddies”.<br/></strong> At the time I started making hats, we lived on a 580 acre property at Raglan, 45min drive from Rockhampton therefore ‘Bush’ because it was where we lived and ‘Buddies’ as my kids were my best mates. </p>
<p><strong>How did this adventure with your children impact them or teach them lessons in life?<br/></strong> In the 1990s the Queensland government operated Schools for ‘Showies’ and it meant that at the big shows the children went to school in one class with all the various levels. I home schooled when we attended smaller shows. I am very proud of all my children who have bought their own homes and cars and we did not help them at all. We taught them how to make money and build a secure future.</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10996724869?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="740" class="align-center"/></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>What do customers love about your hats.<br/></strong> They love the <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/millinery-courses/products/contemporary-tailored-hats-deluxe-course" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fabric hats</a> as they keep their shape really well and because they last way too long…LOL ! </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>How did you improve a basic hat to make it look more stylish?<br/></strong> I created bows that were removeable and flower bands that could be removed and trimmed them with beaded bands. <span> </span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">My hats over the years have changed and I now top stitch them rather than add heavy fishing line in the brim. I have built a skill set that would allow me to take any fabric and turn it into a hat…… Right foundation/ the guts….hat sits right on the head whether sheer or heavy fabric…. not too heavy as you don’t want to give someone a headache! My fabric country hat is my favourite and even 20 years down the track I still have an old client who comes and asks me to make her a new one.<span> </span>I love the colours of the rainbow and offer a range of colourful hats as every person is different - each client is unique and every hat needs to be as unique as its owner.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Tell us about your move into Millinery and Fashion hats.<br/></strong> I attended a two day flower making workshop through the Flying Arts School with tutor Waltraud Reiner. I then bought every book written on millinery and some are real treasures that will never leave my collection </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">My real millinery started when I did the 2<sup>nd</sup> International Millinery Forum in Wagga Wagga and I attended a class with Sydney Milliner, Neil Grigg. I won a scholarship to go back there for Winter School and learn race wear with Neil. This changed my life and his too!</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10996728468?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="740" class="align-full"/></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>What is the busiest time for hat production?<br/></strong> As Central Queensland races are all year round I am always making and creating something new for my clients.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Have you won any Fashions On The Field competitions or Millinery competitions? <br/></strong> Oh Yes!! My list is so long. I made the final for the UK hat designer twice. Have received two awards for the Hat Life magazine in the USA. I won a section in the Hat Festival in France with my Flame piece, and it now lives in the Caussade Hat Museum.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Last year in 2022 I had four headpieces exhibited at the Russian embassy in France. So many clients make the finals or win Fashions on the Field here and overseas. I was joint winner of the Melbourne Millinery Award in 2022. I have taught millinery on several occasions and hope to continue this in the future to share all my tips and tricks.<span> </span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10996729485?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="740" class="align-center"/></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Any final thoughts Wendy to share with up and coming milliners?<br/></strong> Hats will change your life and other peoples. lives too. Millinery will frustrate you, challenge you and move you outside your comfort zone… but in the end when your client rings and says she or he is a winner Oh what Joy!! and I made that… I brought that to life… great bliss…</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Keep hatting Lovelies… Life is a journey. You can sit on the sidelines or you can jump in and participate. <br/> <br/> <strong>More from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wendywhitemillinery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@wendywhitemillinery</a> </strong></p>Millinery Highlights 2022tag:hatacademy.com,2022-12-20:6485913:BlogPost:3587202022-12-20T05:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=%232022"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10914279255?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640" class="align-center"/></a>Explore all the 2022 highlights from Hat Academy and the world of millinery! <br/> <a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=%232022">» 2022 Highlights</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=%232022"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10914279255?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="640" class="align-center"/></a>Explore all the 2022 highlights from Hat Academy and the world of millinery! <br/> <a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=%232022">» 2022 Highlights</a></p>Stitched Berets Lessontag:hatacademy.com,2022-11-16:6485913:BlogPost:3581912022-11-16T07:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/live-lessons/products/beret-live-lesson"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10884891681?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> Create a chic beret with your favourite fabric and custom finish. Master stitching consistently as you learn from tutor Elaine Mergard, sharing this versatile vintage technique from the 60’s.<br></br> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/live-lessons/products/beret-live-lesson">» Learn…</a></p>
<p><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/live-lessons/products/beret-live-lesson"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10884891681?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Create a chic beret with your favourite fabric and custom finish. Master stitching consistently as you learn from tutor Elaine Mergard, sharing this versatile vintage technique from the 60’s.<br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/live-lessons/products/beret-live-lesson">» Learn more</a></p>Behind the Hat: Souri Sengdaratag:hatacademy.com,2022-11-14:6485913:BlogPost:3583032022-11-14T06:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><strong><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/behind-the-hat-souri-sengdara?x8QhS5Iv7KnjczARuJy32HNLoVDwMbtr6lq9B4ZCsgeFfOGkYXp1mT0PdaWiUEx8QhS5Iv7KnjczARuJy32HNLoVDwMbtr6lq9B4ZCsgeFfOGkYXp1mT0PdaWiUEx8QhS5Iv7KnjczARuJy32HNLoVDwMbtr6lq9B4ZCsgeFfOGkYXp1mT0PdaWiUE"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10881633269?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong> <em>Congratulations to Milliner, Souri Sengdara of 'Velvet & Tonic Millinery’, on receiving the top honour of First Place in the recent Millinery Design Award at the Melbourne Cup 2022. Souri's…</em></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/behind-the-hat-souri-sengdara?x8QhS5Iv7KnjczARuJy32HNLoVDwMbtr6lq9B4ZCsgeFfOGkYXp1mT0PdaWiUEx8QhS5Iv7KnjczARuJy32HNLoVDwMbtr6lq9B4ZCsgeFfOGkYXp1mT0PdaWiUEx8QhS5Iv7KnjczARuJy32HNLoVDwMbtr6lq9B4ZCsgeFfOGkYXp1mT0PdaWiUE"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10881633269?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong><em>Congratulations to Milliner, Souri Sengdara of 'Velvet & Tonic Millinery’, on receiving the top honour of First Place in the recent Millinery Design Award at the Melbourne Cup 2022. Souri's love affair with headwear all started when she attended a race meeting 20 years ago and then dared herself to enter Fashions on the Field wearing her own creation. Each piece she fashions is a work of art, sculptural and dramatic as we see in this masterpiece. Enjoy her passion for Millinery.</em><strong><br/></strong></p>
<p><strong>What was the inspiration behind the design?<br/></strong> My design is called 'Flow'. It was inspired by Flemington VRC's bid to increase exposure and inclusivity within the Fashions On The Field competition. I knew exactly what I wanted to design and that I had to have a beautiful man to model it.</p>
<p><strong>Has sculptural free form design always been your signature styling?<br/></strong> While I do love traditional hats, I always want to create sculptural free-form designs. This way, I'm always creating something new and unique. I'm not restricted by the traditional forms.</p>
<p><strong>Your choice of model came together perfectly. <br/></strong> It was fate that it all came together so well. I advertised for a male model with a "Harry Styles" aesthetic and Brodie applied for the job. Even his hair was two-toned like my hat! He hadn't even seen my hat when he applied. He was just perfect.</p>
<p><strong>You have really mastered working with Jinsin. What is it about Jinsin that makes you want to continue to work with this millinery component?<br/></strong> Jinsin allows me to manipulate it into flowing, sculptural designs. I love the rigidity of it. Its ability to maintain shape is fabulous! My winning design got a little wet on Melbourne Cup Day but it held its shape!</p>
<p><strong>The fluid movement of the design was so balanced. Milliners around the world are wondering how did you maintain stability in your design?<br/></strong> That's a great question! Jinsin is a heavier medium and it helped to keep the hat from blowing away on Melbourne Cup Day this year! My own hat was blowing off constantly! My model has short hair so it was a challenge at first! Lots of hairspray was applied and a little tuft of hair was tied up to anchor the hair comb into. He wore it comfortably all day long.</p>
<p><strong>Bringing the bulk of the jinsin together at the tip with brass clasps seems to be no easy task. How did you manage to accomplish this?<br/></strong> Oh my! There was a lot of careful cutting and hand-stiching of the jinsin required to achieve this! Yes, I had to reduce the bulk at the tips. I had to reduce it little by little. Cut too much off and I would have had to re-start the design! Luckily it worked out!</p>
<p><strong>Are there any challenges when dyeing this straw material?<br/></strong> Well, I'll like to say that it was a tough challenge to dye the Jinsin! Fortunately, Jinsin is sold in <a href="https://www.houseofadorn.com/jinsin-91cm-buntal-fabric-two-toned-price-for-0-5m" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two-toned varieties</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profile/SouriSengdara" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10882590685?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="650" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><strong>What does this First place win in the prestigious Milliner Design Award 2022 mean for your brand “Velvet & Tonic”?<br/></strong> Winning this award has given me clarity in what I want to do with my brand. I want to keep creating pieces which have a 'WOW' factor rather than going mainstream. I have so many exciting ideas going around in my head. I can't wait to share them with you all!</p>
<p><strong>What did you enjoy most about creating this masterpiece?<br/></strong> Putting my design 'Flow' on my model's head gave me so much happiness. Seeing him wear it for our photo shoot made me so proud of what I had created. Then, it was all the amazing positive response I had about it. It was overwhelming. Winning the award was a fabulous bonus and the highlight of my millinery career so far.</p>
<p><strong>Famous words to live by…<br/></strong> Design from the heart and make it with love.<br/>
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<strong>» More from <a href="https://www.velvetandtonic.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Velvet & Tonic</a></strong></p>
<p></p>The Lillian Frank Millinery Award Finaliststag:hatacademy.com,2022-11-01:6485913:BlogPost:3579482022-11-01T06:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/the-lillian-frank-millinery-award-finalists" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10860443698?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> <em>Congrats to all entrants in the Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award. Milliners celebrated diversity in their headwear concept through to the millinery components and techniques. Take a look at this year's amazing finalist entries.…</em></p>
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<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/the-lillian-frank-millinery-award-finalists" target="_self"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10860443698?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><em>Congrats to all entrants in the Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award. Milliners celebrated diversity in their headwear concept through to the millinery components and techniques. Take a look at this year's amazing finalist entries.</em></p>
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<p><br/> <strong>Winner // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CjydIKHSU9-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Souri Sengdara</a></strong></p>
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<p><br/> <strong>Runner Up // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkLK7kuPDdv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Natalie Bikicki</a></strong></p>
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<p><br/> <strong>2nd Runner Up // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkZis43y4sa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wendy Scully</a></strong></p>
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<p><br/> Finallist // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkIBFjLyHpJ/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jane Stoddart</a></p>
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<p><br/> Finallist // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkaIb33ST2r/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Karlie Owen</a></p>
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<p><br/> Finallist // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkZ8KTKy83R/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rachel Henry</a></p>
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<p><br/> Finallist // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkDEz-4yqq1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brea Melissa</a></p>
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<p><br/> Finallist // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkITywMAIfX/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chantelle Westlake</a></p>
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<p><br/> Finallist // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkaW0hRStzA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rebecca Carswell</a></p>
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<p>Runway Photos // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkZrD7HBrsG/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@ontrackontrend</a></p>
<p>» Explore the <a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=%23millineryaward" target="_self" rel="noopener">Millinery Award</a> entries from previous years</p>Behind The Hat: Nicole Cumberlandtag:hatacademy.com,2022-10-25:6485913:BlogPost:3578232022-10-25T04:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><strong><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/behind-the-hat-nicole-cumberland" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10854481299?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></p>
<p><em>When 'Magic Happens' all is revealed. Congrats to Nicole Cumberland who received First Place in the recent Millinery Australia Student Design Awards 2022. Nicole has us us all entranced with her Top Hat Magicians creation “Hoodwink.” All is revealed with one touch of the tip of the crown! Her execution of this hat and finish inside and out…</em></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/behind-the-hat-nicole-cumberland" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10854481299?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></p>
<p><em>When 'Magic Happens' all is revealed. Congrats to Nicole Cumberland who received First Place in the recent Millinery Australia Student Design Awards 2022. Nicole has us us all entranced with her Top Hat Magicians creation “Hoodwink.” All is revealed with one touch of the tip of the crown! Her execution of this hat and finish inside and out certainly impressed the judges.</em></p>
<p><strong>The reveal of the Magician top hat was your inspiration for “Hoodwink”, what do you find most fascinating about a magician’s show?</strong><br/> I do love a magic show as well as the world of magic and wizardry in shows like Harry Potter. I so enjoyed the second time I saw the stage show of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as I knew when the magic was coming and I could try to work out how the stage craft was performed. I am always trying to decipher how the illusion is performed while at the same time enjoying the fantasy of trickery for what it is.</p>
<p><strong>What was the base millinery material you chose to ensure it was sturdy enough to be used theatrically? </strong><br/> The hat was blocked from two velour felt cones with quite a bit of stiffener! I had to improvise to get the height I needed. As a current student at Kangan Institute in Melbourne I’m lucky to have the use of many blocks. I used two crown blocks on top of each other to achieve the height.</p>
<p><strong>How did you engineer the movable top of the crown?</strong> <br/> Firstly, I blocked the crown then used a blade to cut out the tip. I then blocked a second tip. These were wired together and covered with petersham at the edge. The top edge of the crown was also wired and covered in petersham. I then took 2 very long and strong hat pins placed beads on the ends. These were then secured through the sides of the hat and through the middle of the two felt tips. This allowed the tip to spin.</p>
<div class="video-container" style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BJD5C7cxH3w?rel=0&showinfo=0&wmode=opaque" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
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<p><strong><br/>What elements, essential for a magician’s trick were in the reveal?</strong> <br/> The Magician pulls a rabbit, a dove along with flowers out of their hat. The 4 white rabbits were made by cutting a silhouette out of the felt on each side the placing paper cloth behind to show the white rabbits. The white bird and the <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/search?q=silk+abaca" target="_self">silk abaca</a> flower were either side of the tip so can be rotated to reveal whichever one you like.<br/><strong><br/> The inside of the top hat needed to be as neat on the inside as the outside, what was your fabric choice?</strong><br/> To ensure the inside was looking as good as the outside I made a silk dupion lining which was French seamed. The lining was shallow enough to still allow the tip to turn. The paper cloth rectangles to depict the white rabbits was bound in bias trim at the edges.</p>
<p><strong>As milliners we like to think we are "pulling a rabbit out of a hat" when we create a new hat that is unique and innovative. The process of building this hat evoked that feeling for you?</strong><br/> The construction and thought process took me down many paths before my final design emerged. Those 2am inspirational thoughts got me there in the end. Initially I was going to make a satin cape which could be removed for the rabbit reveal. This was a fail, so I went for the veiling and silk abaca bow to represent the magicians clothing. The biggest challenge was to cut and bind the tip to ensure it was a firm enough fit to hold closed but not too tight to rotate when required.</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10854490491?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></p>
<p><strong>How did you ensure its wearability and stability on the head?</strong><br/> The top hat is quite high and has the weight of the felt so I tried to ensure all other elements were very light. Silk abaca, feathers, veiling and silk dupion added very little weight to the hat. I had a firm head fit and it stays on the head very well. It was just worn on the runway at the Fashion Devotion parade for the Kangan Fashion students at Melbourne Fashion week.</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10854490470?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></p>
<p><strong>To millinery novices what is your best suggestion if they are considering entering next year's competition?</strong> <br/> I would say take the theme and let your imagination run wild! It was a great experience for me. Entering was not something I had considered until my very enthusiastic Kangan classmates, who also entered, encouraged me along for the ride. I wasn’t entering to win I was entering for the experience. My passion is for theatrical pieces so this allowed me to follow my imagination and make a piece that evolved as my thought process evolved. It’s all about the journey the competition can take you on. Push your boundaries and you never know what you can achieve.<br/> <br/> » More from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nmcmillinery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nicole Cumberland</a></p>Hattember 2022tag:hatacademy.com,2022-10-10:6485913:BlogPost:3570912022-10-10T22:30:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/hattember-2022/" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838871258?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> <em>Hattember 2022 has once again been a resounding success, with over 60 entrants from across the world - including Romania, Sweden, the UK, the US and all states of Australia. In each of the three categories this year – Millinery, Novice Millinery and Modern Revival – Hatters Millinery Supplies send a curated bag of materials to each entrant that challenges the entrants to create a…</em></p>
<p><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/hattember-2022/" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838871258?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><em>Hattember 2022 has once again been a resounding success, with over 60 entrants from across the world - including Romania, Sweden, the UK, the US and all states of Australia. In each of the three categories this year – Millinery, Novice Millinery and Modern Revival – Hatters Millinery Supplies send a curated bag of materials to each entrant that challenges the entrants to create a hat or headpiece using at least some part of each of the provided items.<br/></em> <span style="font-size: 8pt;">By @hattember</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">So many spectacular creative entries arrived to us in Sydney to be judged by our esteemed panel of judges. This year’s judges included Neil Grigg, renowned Sydney milliner with over 40 years experience dressing celebrities, brides, and race goers. Andrea Caneiro, head of the Fashion and Design Studio at Ultimo TAFE in Sydney and her own millinery label Somewhere Here. Rebecca Read, head milliner at Opera Australia.<br/> <br/>
Our final judge was Cynthia Jones-Bryson, who is a renowned award-winning milliner and was the select Milliner to Dame Quentin Bryce when she was the Governor General of Australia. We were lucky enough to host Cynthia as our Designer-in-Residence teaching her signature feather workshop on the weekend following the Hattember event. The standard of entries made it extremely difficult to crown a winner, with the judging criteria covering a mixture of design, skill, expertise, fit, creative use of materials, and originality. From a humble bag of materials sourced from Hatters Millinery Supplies everyone created a work of art.<br/>
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We are especially thankful as this is now the 8th year of running the Hattember® competition, the proceeds of which go to the JOHN SKIPPER KELLY fund, a sub fund of the Sydney Community Foundation. This contribution allows us to implement a number of annual small impact scholarships for young people through Ozgreen and the Aurora Foundation. <br/>
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Congratulations to our winners for Hattember 2022!<br/>
The prizes were announced at a gathering at Embellish® Atelier on the 1st of September and the winners will be displayed in the store front window until the end of the month.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br/> MILLINERY<br/>
1st PLACE - Rebecca Carswell - Amelda Millinery<br/>
<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838871884?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838871884?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><br/>
2nd Place Yasmina Black <br/>
<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838871899?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838871899?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><br/>
3rd Place - Desleigh Lobsey – Desleigh Millinery<br/>
<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838872088?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838872088?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><br/>
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MODERN REVIVAL <br/>
1st Place - Ginetta Rositano – Capelli Di Rosi<br/>
<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838874070?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838874070?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><br/>
2nd Place - Irene Moore – Moore Millinery Designs<br/>
<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838873888?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838873888?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><br/>
3rd Place - Karen Livingston – KML Millinery<br/>
<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838874657?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838874657?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><br/>
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NOVICE<br/>
1st Place - Araks Nazarian <br/>
<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838874277?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838874277?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><br/>
2nd Place - Maria Carmen Syed Abdul Melnic <br/>
<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838874669?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838874669?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><br/>
Joint 3rd Place - Leanne Bensley – Leanne Bensley Millinery<br/>
<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838874489?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838874489?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><br/>
Joint 3rd Place - Robyn Fowler <br/>
<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838875256?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838875256?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><br/>
Encouragement Award - Rebecca Hillis – Rebecca Hillis Millinery<br/>
<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838877478?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10838877478?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="400" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We are very grateful to our sponsors for their generous prizes – the Millinery Association of Australia, The Hat Magazine, HaTalk e-magazine, <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/pages/studio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hat Academy</a>, The Essential Hat, Hatlines Magazine, Christine Waring, Neil Grigg, Marianne Jongkind, The Total Package and Hatters Millinery Supplies. We would also like to than our model ambassador Kiersten Duke and Lily Wood for the photography. <br/> <br/>
Read more about Hattember on our dedicated website <a href="http://www.hattember.com">www.hattember.com</a> and follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hattember/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@hattember</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hatters_millinery_supplies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@hatters_millinery_supplies</a></p>Designing For The Runwaytag:hatacademy.com,2022-09-27:6485913:BlogPost:3568302022-09-27T02:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/fashion-festival-runway" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10828412280?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> Every Milliner dreams about seeing their hats and headpieces gracing the fashion runway locally or internationally. Such a great goal to work towards considering the exposure it brings to your label and branding. Discover the preparations and work needed as Milliner, Caren Lee shares her journey to runway prominence in 2022.<br></br></em> <br></br> <strong>Why did you decide to…</strong></p>
<p><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/fashion-festival-runway" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10828412280?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Every Milliner dreams about seeing their hats and headpieces gracing the fashion runway locally or internationally. Such a great goal to work towards considering the exposure it brings to your label and branding. Discover the preparations and work needed as Milliner, Caren Lee shares her journey to runway prominence in 2022.<br/></em> <br/>
<strong>Why did you decide to venture into showcasing your millinery on runways?</strong><br/>
I decided to showcase my millinery on fashion show runways primarily to increase my audience, as engaging with new potential customers was difficult at first but runway shows opened up a whole new world for me, and suddenly people were falling in love with millinery again! I strive to choose as many pieces as possible to show my repertoire of designs.</p>
<p><strong>Are these the first shows you have been involved with?</strong><br/> My first show was the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival 2015 at the Caloundra Entertainment Centre. It was so nerve wracking having to walk down the catwalk with the models, and I was shaking with nervous excitement. I had great support from Director Jacinta Richmond and Hat Academy founder <a href="https://hatacademy.com/profile/ElaineMergard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elaine Mergard</a> who helped me along the way being a beginner to the fashion scene.</p>
<p><strong>How did you manage to prepare for runway shows?</strong> <br/> Life after COVID is pretty amazing with events galore and everyone wanting to be seen in their beautiful outfits everywhere and anywhere! I decided to do Designer Q 2022. In 2020 we managed a show with chairs 1.5 metres apart and we wore masks and I even I made an outfit complete with matching mask which everybody loved. While I was preparing for that show, I was asked to go in two more shows and, loving the challenge, I decided to say yes.</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10828412857?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></p>
<p><strong>For the Brisbane Fashion Festival your hats adorned models wearing nine different designer outfits. Did the Designer approach you or vice versa?</strong><br/> The Brisbane Fashion Festival was an incredible experience with Gina Reinhart and our Lady Mayoress attending. When Sofia of Moreno Marcos approached me with her ideas there was no way I was going to say no, it was a dream come true for me! My favourite outfits from the show were my two headpieces for a mauve dress with a large tulle brim and a last minute wired crinoline crown, along with a beautiful lilac Dior brim hat with silk abaca trim, to go with a very opulent ball gown in hot pink, orange and lilac. Both outfits were simply stunning.</p>
<p><strong>Was it easy to collaborate with the Designer?</strong><br/> My collaboration with Moreno Marcos came about after she saw my work on Facebook. She had some very definite requests, one being for a black "lampshade" hat with deep tulle edging, having no hat block for the top part, I went hunting in my local thrift store and used a glass angled bowl and blocked the crown using paper clips. It was a great challenge working to her requirements and I added some of my own personality into it creating some wired tulle visors, all new things I hadn't done before.</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10828429297?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></p>
<p><strong>"Ravishing Fashionistas" exists to help all women to embrace themselves confidently. How were you involved with this showing at Old Government House in Brisbane?</strong><br/> With Ravishing Fashionistas I had been in their show at the Sofitel in 2019 and Upma Kite asked me to make just one outfit for the show opening. Old Government House in Brisbane was a stunning venue and the models walked inside and outside just like in a Chanel show!</p>
<p><strong>On the DesignerQ runway you had the opportunity to display not just your hats but also your fashion clothing designs. How did you co-ordinate the garments with the hats?</strong><br/> My designs for Designer Q were planned when I went fabric hunting. I had my lilac Dior brim hat and fell in love with an indigenous print I saw at Spotlight and knew it would be perfect. I also fell in love with a very pale blue tweed and wanted to make a little jacket and straight skirt and matching pillbox aka "Jackie O style" the hat and suit are completely hand stitched with beautiful pearl detail buttons. I decided very last minute to add a hand stitched satin camisole. Luckily, everyone loved it too.</p>
<p><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10828412677?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></p>
<p><strong>What is the greatest lesson you have learnt?</strong><br/> The greatest lesson I've learned from being in runway shows is that new customers are literally everywhere, everyone watches everything you do in fashion, and that it's an incredible experience getting accolades for all your hard work.</p>
<p><strong>What is ahead for 'Caren Lee Millinery’ for 2023?</strong> <br/> Ahead for Caren Lee Millinery in 2023 is more hard work and new designs doing what I love. It's not work, it's my passion. Thank you so much to Elaine and Hat Academy, you have literally changed my life! - Caren<br/>
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» More from <a href="https://hatacademy.com/profile/carena28" target="_self">Caren Lee Millinery</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carenleemillinery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@carenleemillinery</a></p>Contemporary Tailored Hats Coursetag:hatacademy.com,2022-09-15:6485913:BlogPost:3566622022-09-15T01:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/millinery-courses/products/contemporary-tailored-hats-deluxe-course" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10842360477?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> Redesign classic fabric hats into a signature collection under the direction of Liza Stedman.<br></br> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/millinery-courses/products/contemporary-tailored-hats-deluxe-course">» Watch…</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/millinery-courses/products/contemporary-tailored-hats-deluxe-course" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10842360477?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>Redesign classic fabric hats into a signature collection under the direction of Liza Stedman.<br/> <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/millinery-courses/products/contemporary-tailored-hats-deluxe-course">» Watch preview</a></p>Behind The Hat: Lauren Ritchietag:hatacademy.com,2022-07-19:6485913:BlogPost:3557692022-07-19T01:00:00.000ZHat Academyhttps://hatacademy.com/profile/34lggz7v21st2
<p><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/behind-the-hat-lauren-ritchie?w0Q6bi4gNnqUDrEwqAZTemZfe2C1PdlsU1C0RtzSQlNUrUbYSpVX1BXABrTNED07BlfdZ7U78pPZgiIZ4av3EHhArUlteQjEVfDffp7mXkVPv1Y3AmITvfWGZrZ2eKXKVKbwe4e1AWFixmo86R9nAYCIVbQNXfChxGmBNFWxgoi19tHz1dXx72RMvDomYlRL1cZrdQiD4pZyezwlWPyyOEzYRpy3R35VclDzC7QCw7etULJFezulPfzI" rel="noopener" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10654964096?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> The ‘Counter Balance’ challenge for the Millinery Australia '2022 Millinery Design Award Competition’ was embraced by…</em></p>
<p><em><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profiles/blogs/behind-the-hat-lauren-ritchie?w0Q6bi4gNnqUDrEwqAZTemZfe2C1PdlsU1C0RtzSQlNUrUbYSpVX1BXABrTNED07BlfdZ7U78pPZgiIZ4av3EHhArUlteQjEVfDffp7mXkVPv1Y3AmITvfWGZrZ2eKXKVKbwe4e1AWFixmo86R9nAYCIVbQNXfChxGmBNFWxgoi19tHz1dXx72RMvDomYlRL1cZrdQiD4pZyezwlWPyyOEzYRpy3R35VclDzC7QCw7etULJFezulPfzI" target="_self" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10654964096?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a>The ‘Counter Balance’ challenge for the Millinery Australia '2022 Millinery Design Award Competition’ was embraced by milliners to conceptualize their personal creative viewpoint of the topic. Congratulations to Melbourne Milliner, Lauren Ritchie who achieved Second Prize with her piece titled, “Balancing Act”- a physical representation of Counter Balance through shapes.</em></p>
<p><strong>When planning to create your piece 'Balancing Act’ why were you drawn to work with geometric shapes?</strong><strong><br/></strong> <span>Geometric shapes are not common within most of our millinery work. For the theme I felt it leant itself towards these strong shapes and I wanted to push the bounds of what we expect to see. Creating strong sharp lines with traditional millinery materials is a challenging exercise for they can be unforgiving which I was excited to take on. </span></p>
<p><strong><span>How would you describe the design?<br/></span></strong> These strong geometric shapes, sphere, cube and pyramid are strategically placed in an off-kilter tower delicately balancing and relying on each other for support. The strong direction and angle of one shape forces the next shape to compensate in the opposite direction. </p>
<p><span><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10654964476?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></span></p>
<p><strong><span>Did you sketch the design firstly?<br/></span></strong> I don’t normally sketch a piece however for this piece I did draw it out before starting. I wanted to visually test the order of the shapes and the balance of line and form the shapes would create together. </p>
<p><strong>Wearability and comfort were included in the criteria, how did you ensure stability for this headpiece? <br/></strong> <span>The piece is very tall! The main hero of the piece was the orange sphere, cube and pyramid. To ensure they stayed on the head they needed a base that would mould to the head. When exploring my blocks, I came across the pointed beret shape. As I was constructing the piece the beret was not enough, so I included a velvet-covered headband with metal combs to help secure it. </span></p>
<p><strong>Keeping each shape lightweight was vital for this towering headpiece. How did you overcome this issue? <br/></strong> <span>The pieces are hollow inside and constructed with parisisal and sinamay with supporting stiffeners and interlinings. The sphere is created using traditional blocking techniques and working on the <a href="https://shop.hatacademy.com/collections/louise-macdonald-courses/products/contemporary-sinamay-deluxe-course" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bias on the sinamay</a>. The prism and cube are created with flat pattern construction.</span></p>
<p><strong>What was the biggest challenge you faced when creating this headpiece? <br/></strong> <span>I didn’t know if it was going to work until it was finished! </span></p>
<p><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10655022055?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></p>
<p><strong>Was there one significant thing you personally learnt through this exercise? <br/></strong> <span>I had so much joy creating this piece – it was technically challenging to problem solve but I knew what I wanted to achieve with the design. This piece was a culmination of all my training I have learnt from many skilled makers including <a href="https://hatacademy.com/profile/LouiseMacdonald657" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louise Macdonald</a>, Serena Lindeman, Catherine Ellen and Edwina Ibbotson. This piece bought together many elements of different skills that I have learnt over a long period of time.</span></p>
<p><strong><span>Do you have a tip for other milliners and students to encourage them to enter competitions?</span></strong><span> <br/></span> <span>The piece you make for a competition is a piece to share and is a tool to showcase your skills and tell the story behind it. </span></p>
<p><span><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10654964666?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></span></p>
<p><strong><span>What does this win mean for your label ‘Lauren J Ritchie’? <br/></span></strong> <span>I love my piece and was excited to share it even before it was presented to the panel. It is an honour to have it recognized and selected by the judging panel, each of whom brought their expertise to the line-up. The <a href="https://millineryaustralia.org/events-listing/photo-galleries/2022-design-award/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top 10</a> are an amazing showcase of innovative design, quality workmanship, wearability and diverse response to the theme <em>Counterbalance</em>.</span></p>
<p><strong>Words to live by …. <br/></strong> <span>Creativity is intelligence having fun.</span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://hatacademy.com/profile/LaurenRitchie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">» More from Lauren Ritchie</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lauren.j.ritchie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@lauren.j.ritchie</a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em>Model photos:</em><br/> Model: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/finolaxie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@finolaxie</a><br/> Makeup: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amykennymakeup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@amykennymakeup</a><br/> Photographer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/richshawphoto/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@richshawphoto</a><br/> Photography Producer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lisawattproductions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@lisawattproductions</a></span></p>