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

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

What a day! The Millinery Award on Oaks Day at Flemington boasted 90 spectacular entries by Australian and international milliners. Love Lotus was judged a top 10 finalist with a gold and silver metallic headpiece, with Swarovski crystal centres, inspired by fireworks. My model was once again the lovely Lauren Corbett.