The highly anticipated schedule for the Love Lotus Millinery 2018 workshops has been released.

I have included some brand new classes such as ‘Silk and Leather Flowers’, which includes both traditional and modern methods in tinting and shaping petals, a new look ‘Floating Trims’ course, as well as some old favourites such as ‘Leather Blocking’ and my signature Metal Flower and Leaf Crowns’ class. Back by popular demand is the Wire Work class where beginners can make a tiara and more experienced students a Boater hat.

Classes at my Torquay studio are intimate, with only a maximum of 5 students per class so there is plenty of opportunity to ask questions and lunch is included! I am also teaching some of these and other techniques at Louise MacDonald Milliner’s studio in the Melbourne CBD. Please contact her directly for more information regarding these particular classes.

You can view all of the classes, details and pricing via the ‘Group Workshops’ section of my website. Private classes are always available by appointment. Please contact us for more information regarding any of the workshops.

Once again subjecting myself to the challenge of creating a piece of millinery which would push my boundaries in both my design and technical skills, I entered the 2017 Myer Oaks Day Millinery Award. Inspired by incredible kinetic sculptures I wanted to make my own sculptural piece which would have the illusion of radial movement when on the catwalk.
Using the iridescent material which has been my signature over the past few years, the white and silver colours jumped out at me and ended up harmonising perfectly. The curved radial shape and the graduating spikes made the impact I had intended and overall I was satisfied with what I had created.

The next job was to coordinate the whole outfit. After having bought a dress and deciding it was at odds with the headpiece, I was saved by the helpful staff at Witchery Torquay who helped me pull together the final look at the 11th hour. Funnily enough, this was the original top I wanted to get before I went wayward and bought the dress which ended up being abandoned. It goes to show that you should always go with your gut feeling.

I was thrilled to have been selected in the top 10 this year with a group of milliners I really admire who made some stiff competition. Now onward to next year!

See more photos of my Millinery Award entry here.

Model - Lauren Corbett
Photo -  Kris Kotsiakos

This years mini-collection, The Secret Garden, is inspired by it's namesake.

I have continued using the gorgeous shiny material from last year's collection as a springboard for this years ideas. Beautiful new orchids and pansies have been added to my signature feather and butterfly motifs to produce a demure, yet bold collection. I have continued to experiment and adapt the material resulting in headpieces with an incredible sparkle which cannot be captured in still photographs. The material comes into it's own with light and movement.

Every headpiece in the collection has been made with the highest quality materials and workmanship. When you purchase a love lotus headpiece you are investing into a timeless piece of millinery. Each headpiece has been tailored to be balanced for size, shape and colour so the only thing you will need to worry about on race day is where your next glass of champagne is coming from.

Click here to view the collection.

Photo credits here.
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Wow, so much has been happening this year, it has flown by!

I am proud to have been a top 10 finalist in the 2017 Millinery Association of Australia Design Award.
This years theme was Evening Millinery, which had me stumped. I don't have a lot (any) requests for evening millinery so I had to do a bit of research - what is evening millinery?

This the criteria I came up with:
1. No brims (no need to cover up from the sun)
2. Close to the head (don't want to poke your partner's eye out at the dinner party)
3. Shiny (will pick up all the available light and throw the attention on you).

Inspiration struck in the form of the gorgeous Purple Shamrock plant (Love Plant - I loved the shape of the leaves and how they looked like butterflies flitting around), the 1940s Jazz scene with Billie Holiday and the beautiful gardenias in her hair and the mid 19th century headdresses, where the arrangement of the piece was on opposite sides of the face.

So 'Billie' was born - a small, floral piece in my favourite colour. Light and easy to wear in my signature shiny material which glistens as you move.

You can see my entry, along with the other winners and finalists, in person at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne until September 17.

Thanks to the Millinery Association of Australia for the gorgeous photo.
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This is part of my new collection that will be out on Monday, September 4.

After much consideration, I have decided to open my own studio to millinery classes. I have been teaching at Louise Macdonald Milliner's studio in the Melbourne CBD for a number of years now, and will continue to do so, while teaching some new and exciting techniques from my home studio.

Enjoy a drive down the Victorian surf coast, about one and a half hours out of Melbourne, add a bit of millinery, and there's a fun day or two right there. Bring your significant other and stay by the beach for a well-deserved long weekend.

I will be teaching some of my signature techniques which I have not taught before such as Metal Flowers, as well as some old favourites like Leather Blocking and Trims. You will find all the details on my updated Workshops page. I will also be offering one-on-one Private Masterclasses for those who would like to learn specific techniques.

I hope you will be able to share with me in my new and exciting millinery adventure.

Millinery Award, Oaks Day, 2016. Nearly ready to stomp on and throw my entry (hat that is, not model) in the bin, I decided to stop being over competitive and just go and have fun. Which I did.

The Fashions on the Field marquee was housed in a new section of Flemington called The Park. Just making up for the fact that we could not see the track from this new section, The Park was home to a small Ferris Wheel and a gorgeous old carousel, which could bring out the inner child in anyone.

The quality of millinery on display during the general Fashions on the Field, but particularly during the Millinery Award, was outstanding and continues to raise the bar each year. I am so impressed with Australian millinery and really do believe we are world leaders in the millinery style stakes.

My Millinery Award entry was a coolie shaped hat with a wire frame, trimmed with a reflective material, which made the colours sparkle and shine as my model walked down the runway. It was inspired by some glass sculptures I had seen where each colour ran into the next when the light shone through it. I was surprised I wasn't disappointed not to make it through to the top ten for the first time, just glad I hadn't trashed the thing. Now, what to do for next year...

Photo: Kris Kotsiakos
Model: Lauren Corbett

My SS 16/17 collection is all about having a bit of fun.

This collection has been inspired by shiny new materials which I have found to lend themselves perfectly to a piece of unique millinery. The techniques I have used perfectly highlight the natural reflective quality in the material, giving the piece a sparkle when it moves and catches the light.

Expanding on my floating feather and floral themes from last year, I have also added a stunning starburst motif to my headpieces. These motifs are a signature of Love Lotus millinery. 

High quality straws have been used for the boater and headband bases. I pride myself on using traditional millinery techniques with these straws, along with my modern take on trims, to produce timeless pieces of excellence. Time is well spent to perfect the colour, line and balance of every piece and also making sure the piece is comfortable to wear all day.

I hope you enjoy the collection as much as I have creating it.

Click here to view the collection.

The photos on my website are a collaboration between:

Photographer: Kris Kotsiakos
HMUA: Lauren Stewart - LSG Hairstylist and Make Up Artist
Model: Arzum Caglayancay
Millinery and styling: Love Lotus Millinery

I am so proud to have been chosen as one of six finalists in the Millinery Association of Australia Design Award for 2016.

My entry is a boater style hat with a angled brim made from straw with a variation of my signature floating feather trim made from hand coloured ombre silk.

The six finalist's pieces are now being displayed in the foyer of the Sofitel hotel in Melbourne for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and will run until the 11th of September.
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You have the chance to be in the running to win High Tea for 2 at the Sofitel by voting for it in the People's Choice Award at http://millineryaustralia.org/vote/

Photo: Millinery Association of Australia

Come and join me, a self-confessed Queen of Crowns, in my 2016 Floral Crown workshops at Louise Macdonald Milliner's sunny studio in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. Learn my specialty and signature techniques and make a floral crown for Spring around which the bees will want to buzz! Also scheduled is my specialty Wire Work course - my fave! See here for details.

I love seeing all the colour and spectacle as Australia's top milliners show their most creative hats and headpieces of the year at the professional Millinery Award on Oaks Day at Flemington. I am proud to have reached the final ten in a tough competition. I loved creating this sparkly headpiece, inspired by pop art and geometric sculpture. Thanks to my lovely model Lauren Corbett for, once again, showing my work beautifully.

Photo: Lee Sanders
MUA: Celide Wolanski