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