Hats off to you this Melbourne Cup

Posted on 21 October, 2014

Local designers Barb Mickelson and Jade Sargent aren’t big gamblers, but there’s a million dollar bet they’re both willing to make – that there’s a hat for everyone who loves the races.

“Hats can make you happy and they can make others smile,” says Barb, from BMdesigns.

Photo of BMDesigns courtesy of Canberra CityNews. Model: Alexandra Martin. Photographer: Gary Schafer. Makeup Artist: Elle Thomas

“Although there’s a peak in interest with Melbourne Cup just around the corner, having something creative perched on top of your head is becoming popular anytime, anywhere, not just for special occasions.”

“Fashion is changing and becoming more quirky with more women interested in making a bold statement by wearing something unique,” says Barb.

“The challenge for those who have never worn hats is to take the first step and start trying them on. You’ll feel amazing. And people always look at big hats and say ‘Wow. That’s awesome.’”

Barb designs and creates all the hats she sells under her label, from small vintage-inspired ones to very large theatrical ones that turn heads, including the stunning showcase pieces she had on the runway at Fashfest 2014. It’s no wonder she has won awards in ‘wearable art’ competitions in Australia and New Zealand.

Photo of BMDesigns courtesy of Canberra CityNews. Model: Alexandra Martin. Photographer: Gary Schafer. Makeup Artist: Elle Thomas

If you get a headache wearing one of Barb’s creations it won’t be the hat’s fault (perhaps the champagne?). While some headwear she creates look ‘challenging and scary’ to wear, the opposite is true. Barbs hats are deceptively light, made of fabrics such as silk, and designed for total comfort.

“I also use wire edging, which makes it easy to manipulate the bigger, sculptural pieces, to suit the shape of the face and hairstyle,” says Barb. “And because we hand make the hats, each is truly individual. We even dye fabric to match any outfit.”

Barb is also passionate about vintage headwear. “Everyone has their favourite eras and mine is the 40s and 50s,” she says. “The fashion from these years was about style and grace as well as performance. I make these hats with hand-dyed silk, silk velvet, vintage fabrics and vintage buttons, ribbon and lace.”

Another designer who showcased at Fashfest is also busy selling Melbourne Cup hats. Jade Sargent, from label Sovata, sees a shift with more women wearing hats at weddings, other special occasions and even in-between – not just during racing season.

Sovata X Libris. Photographer: Eric Piris, RED Photography. Hair Artist: Designer, Jade Sargent. Makeup Artists: Belle Artistry, Gabbi Vannithone

“Still some people believe they just don’t look good in hats,” says Jade. “It’s challenging to break this preconceived notion by getting them to try them on and have a play. Sure not every hat suits every person but there is a hat out there that will look great on you.”

The collection Jade launched at Fashfest, X Libris, features a range of colours, including mint green, fluro yellow, maroon, white and black. “I experimented even further with the hats at Fashfest this year,” says Jade. “Some were created mixing leather off cuts or pieces of hide with other materials and I tested possibilities with moulding. The collection built on the hats I created for my wedding.”

Sovata is known for creating a total look – garments and hats – although pieces are also sold separately. Jade also used the X Libris collection in two photo shoots with Red Photography, one at the new Research School of Chemistry Building, Australian National University, and the other at the National Museum of Australia.

Sovata X Libris. Photographer: Eric Piris, RED Photography. Hair Artist: Designer, Jade Sargent. Makeup Artists: Belle Artistry, Gabbi Vannithone

But what truly inspires people to play with hats?

Steven Wright, the producer of Fashfest, who also teaches fashion at CIT, says it’s called ‘enclothed cognition’, a fascinating concept that describes the effects clothing has on a person. “We’ve long known that clothing affects how others perceive us and how we perceive ourselves,” says Steven. “But the deeper question is whether the clothing we wear affects our psychological processes—how we approach and interact with the world.”

So Steven says people who wear top hats do not just look taller, they feel taller and even act taller. “Hats are an extension of the body,” he says. “It’s why women love them at the races. They can make women more confident, excited and flamboyant.”

Barb and Jade graduated with a Bachelor of Design (Fashion) from the Canberra Institute of Technology, having developed a passion for millinery. You can discover Barb’s hat collection at the Old Bus Depot Markets or contact Jade on 0417 417 216 to discuss options for Melbourne Cup.