Millinery Australia Design Award 2023: A Showcase of Creative Brilliance

Andrea Cainero of Somewhere Here, hailing from NSW, claimed the top spot with her winning entry, ‘Sweet Fontange’. Andrea skillfully merged ruffle motifs from the 17th century with modern fashion, employing traditional millinery techniques to create a masterpiece that exemplified patience and couture expertise, earning praise from the judging panel.

Securing second place was Cynthia Jones-Bryson from ACT, whose design, ‘Ruffled? Absolutely’, showcased a visual spectacle with over 1,200 meticulously crafted magenta feathers, evoking a sense of intrigue and fascination.

Catherine Storm of Catherine Storm Millinery, representing Victoria, secured the third-place honour with her stunning creation, ‘Spinnaker’. Inspired by wind-swept sails, Catherine’s design artfully captured light and shadows through a fabric manipulation technique, emphasising the features of the dupion silk.

Esteemed milliner Stephen Jones OBE, serving as the Patron of Millinery Australia, personally selected his ‘Patron’s Pick’ from the Top 10 finalists. Lisa Watt of Lisa Hughes Millinery was the recipient of this for her delightful design, ‘You do you’, which radiated a sense of fun and creativity.

The remaining Top 10 finalists, including Belle Folie, Lauren J Ritchie Millinery, Millinery by Karin, Rob & Bek Bespoke Millinery, Rose Hudson Millinery, and Tooali Millinery by Tracy Tau, presented a remarkable display of millinery artistry, impressing the discerning judges. The esteemed panel, comprising Rachael Hart, Millinery Australia’s Vice President, Belinda Osborne, the previous Design Award winner, renowned milliner Richard Nylon, and retail specialist Martin Ginnane, evaluated the designs based on innovation, craftsmanship, wearability, and thematic relevance.

The Millinery Australia Design Award 2023 not only celebrated the exceptional talent of Australian milliners but also showcased the fusion of tradition and contemporary design. The event reinforced Australia’s reputation as a frontrunner in the world of millinery, pushing creative boundaries and captivating audiences with extraordinary artistry.

Calling all milliners! Enter the prestigious MCC Fashions on the Field Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award

Are you a talented milliner with a passion for creating stunning headwear? Here’s your chance to shine at the highly acclaimed Fashions on the Field during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. We invite you to showcase your exceptional craftsmanship and creativity in the Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award, which celebrates the artistry and innovation of millinery design. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your work recognised by industry experts and gain valuable exposure.

Click here to find out more details about the entry process and requirements.