Cherished clients,

MARCH IN MELBOURNE

After all of the excitement of the Magic Millions, life gets a little dull in this part of the world so I usually plan my buying trips to the Southern States in February or March and if it coincides with a big race day – all the better! Early March saw me in Melbourne arriving just in time to attend the Victorian Racing Club’s Beautiful Girls Lunch in the Atrium at Flemington. Sat at the VRC table with my delightful escort, milliner Kim Fletcher, as well as Katie Flockart and Bridget Tomkins of MiNC Events who so masterfully co-ordinate the Myer fashions on the Field every racing carnival. As our table was situated right at the end of the catwalk, we had a birds-eye view of the Myer fashion parade which featured all of the trends for this Autumn and were entertained by ‘new Aussie’ Leo Sayer who even kissed my hand! I think all 500 of us agreed it was a fabulous lunch.

Melbourne Milliners, Kerrie Stanley and Kim Fletcher

Dale and Kim Fletcher

Leo Sayer performing at the Atrium

Model Wears Myer Fashion

Myer Autumn Parade

Bridget Tomkins and Katie Flockart

After 2 days of buying hats, Saturday saw my husband Jim and me back at the track on Super Saturday. For the first time ever Myer held a Best Dressed Couple competition and I persuaded Jim to enter (it wasn’t easy, believe me!). To our surprise, fashion judges Lindy and Michael Klim chose us as their Pick of the Day for Best Dressed Couple. We won 2 bottles of vintage Moet & Chandon and a dinner at Crown Casino. It was such a thrill for a pair of ‘oldies’. Another highlight of the day was to visit the Millinery Association stand and see the creations of a group of Melbourne milliners. I am always interested in discovering new milliners for The Hat Box.

Dale and Jim, fashion winners

Dale with Michael Klim

Fashion Judges Dom Bagnato and Lilian Frank

Fashion finalists at Flemington

HATS & HIGH TEA

Back in Brisbane. April saw another of my bi-annual Hats & High Tea. This time my guest speaker was the charming and supremely talented Neil Grigg. Several of my local milliners have taken his classes and my clients have bought his hats, so he was no stranger to us and was welcomed with open arms. This was the first function to be held in the new Chandelier Room at the Room With Roses and the staff ensured that all our expectations were met.

As well as Neil’s entertaining talk, the 60 guests were treated to a preview of this year’s Racing Carnival chapeaux. Chosen by Neil, the winner of the Best Hat was Manoela Knott and winner of best Fascinator was Cherie Lange whose large piece was made by her mother, Sue Lord.

Summer and Marilyn Rea

Manoela Knott and Cherie Lange, Best Hat Winners

Kasey Gurney, Sue Lord and Cherie Lange

Baslyn Beel and Phyllis Tegg

Meredith McMaster, Alexandra Harper & Ann Boyle

WOMEN IN RACING PRIME MINISTER’S CUP LUNCH

1st may was the sort of autumn day that Queensland is famous for – warm and sunny and it was a pleasure to drive to one of my favourite places, the Sheraton Mirage at Main beach for the Women in Racing Prime Minister’s Cup lunch. The recently renovated Horizons Restaurant was the venue and it is now even more beautiful than previously. This was a working day for me as I was providing the hats for the Kennedy & Forbes fashion parade as well as modelling for them along with my friends Lauren Walker and Donna Wells. As Alex Kennedy and Ashley Forbes make all of my racewear (and are making me 2 outfits for Royal Ascot next month) they feel that I typify their clientele and I am always happy to wear their beautiful designs. The gorgeous racing journalist Jo McKinnon was guest speaker. Well done, Baslyn Beel and Jennie Bartels. Another triumph.

PS: The food was sensational too, everyone agreed, particularly the Thai soup.

Alex Kennedy, Dale and Ash Forbes

Ann Boyle, Amanda Matovic, Ros Tilse & Patricia Balmer

Anna Mott of Racing Fashion

Glenda Newick, Tony and Alana Loveless and Kate Newick

Julie Billeau and Effie Cliff

Vicki Chatfield and Jessie Peace

Models Dale, Donna Wells & Lauren Walker

Margaret Brown at the Sheraton Mirage

Pam Larsen and Regina King

Jennie Bartels and Margaret Lenehan

Judy Brine at the WIR Lunch

PRIME MINISTER’S CUP

Next day was another balmy day in paradise and I was there to cheer on my clients in the Fashions on the Field and take photos for the website. Taking pics alongside me was Anna Mott, fashion editor of www.racingfashion.com.au Anna and I met at the races in Melbourne. She, her husband Steven and gorgeous baby girl Amelie are here for the entire Winter Racing carnival, so if you see her and her large camera at Doomben or Eagle Farm, smile prettily. Check out the website, it’s great. Also taking pics was well known racing photographer, Ross Stevenson. When my camera battery died just before the winners were announced, he kindly took photos for me. Thanks, Ross. Best Dressed Lady was the always elegant Pamela Larsen in a purple Covers suit and black and purple fascinator by Meredith McMaster of The Hat Box and purple kid gloves also from The Hat Box. Best Hat winner was Alanna Loveless, whose winter white felt pillbox trimmed with silver was made for her by Shirley of The Hat Box to match her dress. I don’t know who was more excited, Alanna or me!

Best Hat Winner, Alanna Loveless

Fashions on the Field Winner, Pamela Larsen

Julie Billeau

Congratulating my prize winning friends and clients, Pam Larsen and Alanna Loveless

Shirley Croft, Effie and Andrew Cliff and Pam Larsen

Anna Mott

Alys and Olive Robertson

After Stradbroke Day I am off on another buying trip to London and to see the Queen! Will bring you back reports of Royal Ascot in July as well as all the Winter Racing Carnival pics.

Ciao for now.

Dale