How I Got Here: Award-winning Australian milliner, Cynthia Jones Bryson
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Admit it, we’ve all been there—stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you wanted to know about the secrets of career success. For those interested in hat making, here award-winning Australian milliner Cynthia Jones Bryson shares her journey in the industry.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Cynthia Jones Bryson and I am a milliner (hatmaker).
Let’s go back to when you were a kid, have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
Absolutely not. I was never really sure what I wanted to do, but it was after a near-fatal car accident that changed the course of my life [that I became interested in hat making]. In my early 20’s I was working in a secure administrative position until the day I had an awful car accident that put me in hospital for many months and I faced the possibility of not walking again. I’d always loved fashion and design so after many more months recuperating I decided to enroll in full-time Fashion Design course at the Canberra Institute of Technology. Millinery was one of my electives and I scored a HD.
After working in the fashion industry for a few years, I lived in London for two years. It was here that I undertook a number of Millinery courses at Morley College with world renowned theatrical milliner, Jane Smith. Her knowledge and passion for her things millinery was inspirational. My addiction to hats had begun.
Winner- Melbourne Cup Carnival Lillian Frank Millinery Award 2023.
Tell us about when you were first starting out, what set a fire in your belly to get here and how did you do it?
I purchased my first hat block in London and was determined that on returning to Australia, I would ‘give it a go’. I set up a studio in my home as a part-time venture and slowly, slowly gained a few commissions and few regulars. I now do two collections a year with a strong emphasis on headwear for the races, with my pieces being seen at Royal Ascot, Kentucky Derby, Dubai World Cup and of course race tracks around Australia.
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
COVID was particularly hard.
What was your biggest break?
Designing and making hats for Dame Quentin Bryce, during her tenure as Governor General of Australia was definitely a big one and I thoroughly enjoyed it. She was a genuine lovely lady to work with.
Also in 2015 I won the invitation only, highly sought after in the millinery world, Melbourne Cup Carnival Millinery Award. I won the same award again in 2019 and 2023.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Still waiting.
What is it about your industry that you love and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
It can be a bit fickle at times, but I just go with the flow.
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’, what media do you consume?
I love magazines, fashion, trade and design. I’m also a avid watcher of new designer collections worldwide.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully still learning and doing more teaching and passing on what I’ve learnt over the years to other keen artists.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
Not sure about follow in my footsteps (I certainly did make mistakes along the way), but more follow what makes you happy, what you enjoy doing and keep building on it, learn all you can and explore/experiment as much as you can.
What advice would you give your past self?
It’s okay to make mistakes, learn from them and move on.
As well as ‘there is more than one way to skin a cat’ – you don’t have to do it like the majority – find your own way to make it work.
