The Hat Box - Brisbane Arcade

CHATTERBOX
Cherished clients, Exciting news! For the first time, The Hat Box has its own show at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival. We’ll be appearing at the Hilton Hotel ballroom at 6pm Thursday 28 August along with parades by Pia Du Pradal, Sacha Drake and Tulipani. Twelve of my most creative milliners are presently busy at work designing divine works of fantasy, so if you would like to see the results, we’d love to have you there. Tickets are available from QTIX on 136246. The Winter Racing Carnival, my favourite time of year, is now over for 2008. Here are a few highlights of May and June.
PRIME MINISTER’S CUP LUNCH Held in Horizons restaurant at the Sheraton Mirage, Gold Coast, this soiree the day before the Gold Coast Turf Club’s Prime Minister’s Cup, was hosted by Baslyn Beel and Jennifer Bartels, directors of Women in Racing. These girls always throw a great shindig as you can see from the photos, and all money raised goes to recipients of racing welfare.	Lorraine Dickinson, Phyllis Tegg & Julie Phillips at the Prime Minister’s Cup Lunch
Lauren Walker with Kerrina King at Horizons		Fay Venus, Glenda Winders & Mini Curtis
The Loved-Up Tony & Alanna Loveless		Enjoying Pre-Lunch Drinks with the Handsomest Man in the Room, Nino Goncalves

DOOMBEN CUP As usual, the autumn weather was perfect for the BTC’s Doomben Cup on May 17th. My friends and I enjoyed the seafood buffet in Terraces Restaurant overlooking the track, then left our husbands to their drinks and bets while we watched the Fashions on the Field. Black was the predominant colour of the day and it was worn by winner, Laura Flynn, who added a touch of blue in the hydrangeas in her hat. Another striking ensemble in red and grey was that worn by Brooke Williams. Lunch in Terraces Restaurant with Kathryn Neumann & Julie Phillips Fashions on the Field Finalists		Brooke Williams at the Doomben Cup
DOOMBEN 10,000 The following Saturday was another gloriously sunny day for the running of the Doomben 10,000. The Fashions on the Field on this day was invitation only and as a “spotter”, I found many beautifully dressed women who were worthy of selection. Black was the popular choice again and the judges chose Hat Box client Kady Brandon of Home Hill their winner. Kady was elegant in all black, her cloche trimmed with off-white which she teamed with long vintage leather gloves. Other clients who looked fabulous were: Natalie Letford, the Stoyle sisters, Atlanta and Chanel and Suzie Miller. Chanel & Atlanta Stoyle at Doomben Suzie Miller Wows the Crowd Hat Box Milliners, Patricia Balmer & Sandra Robson		At the Doomben 10,00 with the stylish Natalie Letford Winner Kady Brandon Trumps the Field

OAKS DAY EAGLE FARM Unfortunately, the weather turned cold and showery for Oaks Day, not that the guests of the Conrad Treasury marquee would have noticed. The social highlight of the racing carnival, this lavish hospitality tent is decorated in a different theme each year and this year’s was a Winter Wonderland complete with ice skating rink. The Moet e Chandon flowed, the chefs excelled themselves and my daughter Fleur and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as usual. Thanks to the entire Conrad team for a wonderful day. Courier Mail Fashion Editor, Elizabeth Tilley with Fleur Thompson in the Conrad Marquee Hostess with the Mostest, Treasury Casino’s Katie Sinclair		Oaks Day Fashions on the Field Finalists The Lovely Leisa Elder Cecilynne Jurss Enjoying Oaks Day with Ch 7’s Matt Carmichael & Pat Welch

STRADBROKE LADIES LUNCH The Conrad Hotel played host again on Friday 6 June when the annual pre-Stradbroke Day Ladies Lunch was held in the Courtyard. Special guest Symantha Perkins was keynote speaker, Myer presented race fashions and the event was compered by Sofie Formica. Deborah Quinn was chosen best-dressed lady, while my friend Julie Phillips wore the “best hat” made by Patricia Balmer. Karen Burke and Madonna Boodle flew down from Rockhampton especially for the lunch, and as their flight was delayed by fog, unfortunately they were late for the function but made up for it by being the very last to leave!	Rocky’s Madonna Boodle & Karen Burke	Julie Phillips Best Hat Winner and Ros Tilse
Lauren Walker Wore a Fresh Flower Fascinator to the Ladies Lunch		Phyllis Tegg & Megan Gore-Jones at the Courtyard Marquee

Ciao for now. Dale
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