Millinery: Stitched to perfection

The work was truly a labour of love for Skelton who had to re-knit, crochet and use needle lace skills to complete her winning masterpiece that took four weeks to make. Entering the competition made sense for Skelton who says millinery is the perfect way to express her artistic vision.

What makes a winning millinery look all comes down to originality and innovation – and Skelton’s win is testament to her skill and commitment to her craft. She’s passionate about horse racing and also has her own millinery store in Oakleigh. She teaches emerging milliners how to create one-off pieces and is part of the Embroiderers Guild Victoria where she learns new applications regularly – you’ll never find her using glue in her work – it’s all hand-stitched to perfection.

“I love an op shop and always look there as a starting point when hunting for fabrics I can use in my work,” says Skelton.

“I was drawn to the fibres I spotted in a jumper and from there I pulled it apart and dreamed up this millinery idea. The sunglasses are also recycled. I removed the lens and needle laced the goggles into it. Taking out two Awards in recognition of the artistry is fantastic. For me, the future is all about being sustainable and it’s great to be recognised for this too,” Skelton says.

Melbourne milliner Melissa Jackson says a winning look at the track all comes down to creating millinery that is a combination of scale, proportion and style.

She predicts we’ll see more heightened crown shape hats this year, where wide and sweeping brims will return. And if what we saw at Schiaparelli’s Paris Haute Couture show in July is a sign of what’s to come – think Provencal-style boater hats and large shaped ones for the ultimate spring fling.

“Wide-brimmed hats and those with sweeping up-lifting brims or my signature hand-sculptured shapes are the preferred styles for Spring 2022. Headbands and fascinators are so overdone,” says Jackson.

She says a regal mood is in order this year too, all thanks to the Netflix series Bridgerton and English writer Jane Austen which could see a return to bonnets and bows plus smaller shapes with chin-ties too.

At Ascot this past summer, millinery that wowed most came in the elevated sculptural form – a statement piece that sat high above any outfit it was matched with – think veiled wide brim hats, top hats and even those made of sculptural flowers. Colour was in full bloom and at the heart of the millinery verses there – think pink, navy and lime green tones.

Award winning milliner Kim Fletcher says when looking at entrants’ work, it all comes down to technique, proportion and whether it’s flattering on the race goer or not.

“Millinery must represent the personality of the wearer and the image they want to project. There is a quote I like to use, ‘If fashion is the alphabet, then millinery is the punctuation’,” Fletcher says.

“For those thinking about entering at Flemington, think about what it is that makes their millinery original. Is there a style or technique that is "yours". Think about the impact your piece has on a stage and the overall silhouette you have created. Although you are not judged on the clothing, the look needs to be cohesive and enhance your millinery piece,” Fletcher says.

“And where else can you get dressed up from head to toe with flamboyance and not look out of place. Millinery adds another element which makes racing at the Melbourne Cup Carnival so special and is acknowledged the world over because of this,” Fletcher says.

With suiting making a big comeback on the international runways, it’s no doubt we’ll see the trend spill into racewear looks too. According to milliner Felicity Northeast, suits work best when paired with boaters and fedoras.

“I think the suits and twists on suit styles with pops of bold colour will be the 2022 race look paired with brimmed hats and wide headbands,” Northeast says. “Many feathered accessories and sculptural headpieces will be featured in Fashions on the Field too.”

Her SS22 collection is all about wide brims from sweeping platters and fedoras to straw braid hats, boaters and cocktail hats.

“It’s all about elegant clean lines that suit your face shape,” she says. “Think streamlined trims including sculpture bows and feathers and ensure you feel special as well as comfortable on the day.”

Image Credits: 
Millinery: Felicity Northeast Millinery @felicitynortheastmillinery
Model: Kristen Febey @kristenfebey
Outfits: Julie Goodwin Couture @juliegoodwincouture ( for the outdoor shoots and the peach and cream suit)
Handbags: Cecily Clune @cecily.clune
Hair and makeup : Jessica Bell @jessicabellmakeup
Photographer: Richard Shaw @richshawphoto