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.

Photo: Hattember

The theme for your category was “Happy Hatting” and your…

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…

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…

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…

The ‘Counter Balance’ challenge for the Millinery Australia '2022 Millinery Design Award Competition’ was embraced by…

For Milliner Iliana Hristova, her Second Prize placing in the recent Mad Hatter 2022 Competition means everything. It has given her renewed confidence and inspiration to set new goals with her range of skills she has mastered in the last three years. Enjoy her journey in millinery.

What inspired you to create this headpieces titled “After the…

Although the prizes given in Millinery Competitions are always a draw card, the real gain for entering a competition is the challenge to extend your skills to define what you thought you could never achieve. Milliner Chris Mullane rose to this challenge for the Millinery Award 2021 taking inspiration from a recent holiday.

In these pandemic times…

Congratulations to Holly Sansalone of West Australia on her third place win in the recent MIMC competition for her “Mother of the…

Knowing and creatively expressing who are ”My Tribe” was the millinery challenge for the Student Design Competition organised by the Millinery Association of Australia. Runner up winner, Angie Jackman created a mandala, a circular design expressing…

The Millinery Association of Australia Design Award for 2021 focused on the Theme - ‘ The 20’s - Past, Present, Future.’  With the judging criteria based on originality and creativity, relevance to the era, quality of work, degree of difficulty and wearability in terms of comfort and stability, milliners became…

Beautifully handcrafted millinery created by New Zealand Milliner, Anel Heyman is celebrated again in 2021 with her recent first place award in the International HATalk Millinery Competition. Anel thrives on a challenge whether it be for a customer or a competition and shares with us what it takes to stay at the top.

With a background in art which basic design elements do…

Congratulations to Angie Jackman whose headpiece caught the eye of judges at the 2020 Spring Carnival Millinery Award. This masterpiece received runner-up with inter-weaving of shape and colour to create such a unique work of art.

Perusing your millinery designs we are drawn to the geometrical line of all your work - simplistic with occasional feather or…

Congratulations to Melbourne Milliner, Stephanie Spencer who received the 2020 Melbourne Cup Millinery Award. This COVID year has been the most challenging of all for milliners globally. Shoes as a Hat epitomises our feelings as our normal worlds have been turned upside down. A Milliner commented prior to the judging, "I love the ballet shoes hat. So clever and beautiful.” This certainly…

Very few milliners are given the chance to exhibit their headwear in a National Museum. Melbourne milliner and designer Angela Menz was so excited to be asked to exhibit her creation, rewarding her for her passion for Fashion on the Field. 

Photos: @ontrackontrend

How did the Winx outfit idea develop?

Winx was racing at…

Master Milliner and Educator, Louise Macdonald shares the inspiring process to create this magnificent hat that reached the Finals of the Oaks Day Millinery Award 2017. There is always a fascinating story behind the hat.

Photo: Richard Shaw



All your hats have an imaginative title, what did you label…

Congratulations to Cynthia Jones-Bryson who received the Top Award in the coveted Melbourne Oaks Day Millinery Award 2019, with this strikingly beautiful hat. As a second time winner of this Millinery Award, Cynthia is an affirmed master of feather finesse with her millinery styling.

All your hats have an imaginative title, what have you labelled this…

Congratulations to Emma Files for receiving First Runner-up in the Millinery Association of Australia Student Design 2019 Competition. Discover the workings behind her her amazing "Urban Landscape" creation.



The title for the Design Award was 'Urban…

Be inspired by the astounding creativity and technical skills of UK Milliner, Chris Garner. Chris takes us into his enchanted world of ‘Wild Garden’ which was chosen for the X Terrace display, during London Hat Week '19.

The title of your headpiece is ‘Wild Garden.’ How did you develop your idea?

Wild Garden actually came to me…

Millinery Competitions with a theme can prove to be a challenge and restrictive, but that is what brings out the best of our ability in design and technique. Congrats to US Milliner Laura Del Villaggio who proved she could achieve a great outcome for the recent HATalk International Competition,…