Cherished clients,

Now Autumn is upon us – my favourite time of year – and the Winter Racing Carnival fast approaching, here’s the low-down on all the ‘hatty’ events of the past few months.

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BRISBANE ARCADE WEDDING OPEN DAY

On Sunday afternoon 6th March, the Brisbane Arcade held an inaugural wedding open day with a difference. Guests were served a glass of champagne on arrival and then were invited to visit all of the wedding professionals in their stores. Naturally, The Hat Box was open for business, with the window displaying all of the milliners’ beautiful wedding headpieces.

Milliners Meredith McMaster and Patricia Balmer were on hand to discuss various styles with brides-to-be, whilst I was being interviewed about current bridal trends in Room With Roses Café. A salon showing was also held, displaying designs for non-traditional brides, mothers-of-the-bride and groom, bridesmaids and guests from the Arcade’s designers, topped with fascinators from The Hat Box and precious jewellery form the Arcade’s gem merchants. It was a most successful day with many bridal orders taken.

  
Brisbane Arcade ready for its first bridal expo.

The Hat Box bridal window.

Dale Olsson and Sue Skinner, marriage celebrant.

GIRLS DAY OUT DOOMBEN

Girls Day Out is always a big day for Doomben Racecourse with huge crowds of young fillies vying for prizes in Fashions on the Field. March is a great time of year for fashion in Queensland, with the weather being not too hot or too cold. Special guest judge was dress designer Wayne Coper, a cheeky chappie, who can always be relied upon to provide a controversial quip or two.

My friend, Anna Mott, who presents Racing Fashion TV in Melbourne, was unable to attend so she asked me to fill in for her. Accordingly I wandered around the Fashion precinct with my cameraman Dave Emge in tow, looking for likely interviewees. And I struck it lucky. After interviewing several fashionable femmes, I was able to chat on camera to Wayne Cooper himself for a few minutes.

Fashions on the Field was won by my lovely client Mildred Ellwood, who only bought her hat from me the afternoon before. I was thrilled for her. She looked very stylish.
Sandra Robson, Megan Gore-Jones and Patricia Balmer in the Champions Bar.

Meredith McMaster and Dale Olsson.

Posing with Wayne Cooper.

IDENTITY PARADE MEDIA LAUNCH

Each year the Treasury Hotel and Casino stages a series of international designers’ fashion parades styled by Di Cant and The Hat Box has been fortunate enough to be chosen for these exclusive events. This year, the media launch was held outside the hotel in Queen’s Park with the catwalk surrounding the statue of Queen Victoria. I was accompanied by Meredith McMaster who made one of the hats in the parade and we thoroughly enjoyed the glamorous occasion. It was a balmy April evening, the Moet & Chandon flowed and the canapés were delicious. Everyone in Brisbane’s fashion industry was there and it was a pleasure to have my hats atop such glorious creations.

Dale Olsson and Meredith McMaster at Identity Parade Media Launch.
(photo: Ata Taefi)

Model wears Kylie Heagney saucer hat.
(photo: Ata Taefi)

WOMEN IN RACING LUNCH, SOFITEL BROADBEACH

Whenever WIR Inc. has a lunch, I’m there! They’re a great bunch of women, who raise money for those in the industry going through a hard time and have a jolly good time while they’re doing it. These Gold Coast glamour gals can always be relied upon to wear a hat with panache and several bought just one more from me on the day. The lunch was held at the Sofitel Hotel at Broadbeach and celebrated the upcoming Prime Minister’s Cup.

Anna Mott of Racing Fashion TV.

Maureen Rusk at the WIR lunch.

Display from The Hat Box.

Margaret McLean and Margaret Brown.

PRIME MINISTER’S CUP GCTC

Two days later I was back on the Gold Coast for the Prime Minister’s Cup. It was a beautifully sunny day which brought out the fashionistas in droves. Anna Mott from Melbourne had stayed over from Thursday’s lunch and was joined by Em Bodinar for the weekend at the Palazzo Versace. Anna was kept busy photographing the ladies for her web site racingfashion.com.au as well as conducting interviews for Racing Fashion TV.

This time last year I was persuaded to enter the Fashions on the Field for old times’ sake, so this year, seeing I was wearing a beautiful new Hatmaker headpiece from the uber-talented Jon Howard, I decided to enter again. Imagine my delight when I won Best Hat. Thanks so much, Jon. I own so many of his hats now.

Best-Dressed was Mildred Ellwood again, who looked beautiful in a mushroom silk dress with intricate back detail teamed with a Phillip Rhodes headpiece. It was a double win for The Hat Box and we were elated.

Anna Mott, Em Bodinar and Dale Olsson.

Milliner Pam Cameron and Dale Olsson.

Amy Jones and Mildred Ellwood at the GCTC.

KATE ANDERSON FASHION LAUNCH

Thursday 12th May saw me wending my way down to Fortitude Valley to attend the beginning of Kate Anderson as a fashion house. The launch to the fashion press and boutique owners was held at the White Canvas Gallery which was thronged with prospective buyers. Kate has called her collection ‘First Flower’ and described it as her interpretation of classic shapes with a modern and playful touch. She has used fabrics of silk, cotton and modal and told us that she wants each piece to make the wearer feel confident, empowered, feminine and beautiful. Kate's show was beautifully styled by fashion stylist Linda Lola.

To incorporate the theme, I chose floral headpieces by Meredith McMaster and Patricia Balmer of The Hat Box, which gave the garments that little extra touch. I always enjoy assisting and mentoring new young talents in the fashion industry as it can be a hard profession they’ve chosen and something you have to work very hard at.

Dale Olsson and boutique owner Lauren Walker.

Fashion Designer Kate Anderson.

Kate Anderson ’s “Falls” Dress

Kate Anderson blouses & skirts

Kate Anderson babydoll dresses

Rose by Patricia Balmer of The Hat Box

The Sweetheart Dress

IDENTITY PARADE TREASURY HOTEL

The following evening, accompanied by Patricia Balmer, I attended the first of the public IDENTITY fashion events staged in Stephen’s lane on the south wing of Treasury Heritage Hotel. The Hat Box provided the headpieces, which accompanied such international designs as Versace, Valentino, Catherine Malandrino and Halston Heritage.

It was a particularly beautiful parade from which stylist Di Cant had taken the inspiration of the royal wedding, showing exquisite pastel dresses teamed with matching feather and flower headpieces largely made by my companion Patricia.

After we drooled over the fashion, wanting to buy everything, we spent the rest of the evening sipping Moet and tasting decadent little chocolate desserts with our fun companions, designer Leigh Buchanan of Project Runway fame and Natalie D’alessandro of  Fashionista Events. It was way past my bedtime when I finally got my hats and myself home and I was due at the races next morning. (all photos in this segment by Ata Taefi)

Dale Olsson and Patricia Balmer.

Antoinette wearing rose by Patricia Balmer. 

Blue headpiece by Patricia Balmer.

Peacock headpiece by Patricia Balmer.

Kate wears black felt hat by Suzy O’Rourke.

BTC CUP/BLACK CAVIAR DAY, DOOMBEN

I knew I had to be at Doomben early as the Brisbane racing Club was expecting record crowds to see Black Caviar, the horse arguably called ‘the world’s greatest racehorse’. When I arrived at 11am it was already packed but fortunately my friends Sandra Robson and Patricia Balmer had saved me a seat in the Falvelon Bar underneath the Members’ Stand.

Once again, I was hosting Racing fashion TV for Anna Mott so I wasn’t able to socialize for long.

Fashions on the Field was restricted to the student designer category and it was unfortunate that there were only ten entrants. Winner Rebecca Wall was by far the most outstanding talent; designing, making and modelling her racing ensemble. Her mother Christine entered in one of Rebecca’s designs and they made a most attractive couple. Third prizewinner Amy Jones also made her hat and outfit and modelled them as well.

After the Fashions competition wound down, it was time to run to the stands to find a seat to watch the big race. Not a hope! Along with thousands of others, I stood to watch Black Caviar win her thirteenth race by two lengths. What a horse! What a day!

Dale Olsson, Sandra Robson and Patricia Balmer. Ladies in black for Black Caviar.

Robyn Smallhorn, millinery teacher at Mt Gravatt College.

With Dave Emge, cameraman Racing fashion TV.

Fashion entrants.

Rebecca and Christine Wall

Student designer Cherilyn Pearce and her model Kalee Barnes.

Fashion Judge Di Cant with winner Rebecca Wall.

Glenda and Kate Newick.

Third prize winner Amy Jones, winner Rebecca Wall and Runner-up.

Interviewing Amy Jones for Racing Fashion TV.
(photo:Ross Stevenson)

Leading Black Caviar back to scale after her incredible 13th consecutive win.
(photo:Ross Stevenson)

Please keep the photos coming in, lovely ladies. Here’s one from bride-to-be Leah Gilmore of Charleville who won fashions on the Field at the Goondiwindi Picnic races last month. She was wearing a suit by Covers and hat by Meredith McMaster. Doesn’t she look sensational.

Goondiwindi Winner Leah Gilmore

Until then,

Ciao for now

Dale

Also looking gorgeous at the Dalby Picnic races are Eleighta Hannam, Kate Warner and Sarah McCabe. Eleighta’s hat is from Hatmaker, whilst Sarah’s is by Elizabeth R.

Eleighta Hannam, Kate Warner and Sarah McCabe