MAArvelous Millinery

The fashionable folk of The Millinery Association of Australia are all set to roll out their annual showcase of Spring-ready headwear at this positively ‘MAArvelous’ event. It will see twenty-three of our most talented milliners flaunt their work in a spectacular hat parade, fashioned around this year’s theme of famous artworks.

It seems fitting, then, that this cocktail affair will take place at the Arts Centre, where you might be lucky enough to mingle with the likes of many a milliner, including Melbourne’s own Gillian Andrew. Her Monet’s Garden-inspired hat caused quite the stir at last year’s Oaks Day, and she’s very excited to be lending it out for an encore showing.

“I love flowers,” says Gillian, who’s been crafting one-off creations for the better part of a decade. Hence the appeal of Monet’s lilies – with which she committed a fabulous fashion faux pas. “Blue and green,” she laughs. “They say it should never be seen – not on my calendar!”

Her hot tip for this year’s on field frocks and fascinators? Think pink. “I’m looking at the pinks, and think I’ll be heading that way for Oaks Day,” she says, and assures me that “there’s a hat out there to suit everybody.” Need convincing? Get along to the parade. Designs will be available for sale hot off the catwalk, and milliners will be on site to assist with any queries or hat-related hesitations.

The event is in support of Australian Rotary Health HAT DAY, which helps to raise awareness of Mental Health Research. Entertainment for the evening will include an opening performance by Dancentre featuring ART & the HAT, and there’ll be door prizes and a $350 millinery voucher for the most outstanding cocktail hat.

Tickets are $70 per person and can be booked via Try Booking at www.trybooking.com/FFGT

MAArvelous Millinery
Arts Centre Melbourne, ANZ Pavilion, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Thursday 2nd October, 6:30pm for 7pm show
millineryaustralia.org