Cherished clients,

As usual, there has been a lot happening in the social scene over the last three months. Here are a few of the highlights.

HATS & HIGH TEA WITH PHILLIP RHODES

September saw the visit of distinguished Melbourne milliner Phillip Rhodes to our city. He was guest of honour and speaker at Hats & High Tea at Keri Craig Emporium hosted by The Hat Box. The guests, dressed in Melbourne Cup finery, rocked with laughter at his amusing anecdotes about his celebrity clientele – the good, the bad and the truly ugly!

While he was in Brisbane, Phillip also held workshops with the local milliners who always enjoy learning a new creative trick or two. It was a pleasure to be able to share his company and his expertise.

With Hats & High Tea Guest Noreen Gorman

Phyllis Tegge & Karen Burke

Kerrina King, Glenda Newick & Alanna Loveless

Tarsha Rae & Sandra Robson

Gillian Bail, Phillip Rhodes & Laurace Bail

Phillip shares his skills with Patricia Balmer, Noela Newman & Ann Boyle

FASHION FRIDAYS

September also saw The Hat Box parading Spring hats at the always popular Fashion Fridays lunch in the Courtyard of Hotel Conrad. Hosted by Channel 10’s Georgina Lewis whom I assisted at the microphone, guests were given an overview of the trends for this season.

The stylish gowns which accompanied the hats were provided by The Mask, whom I also collaborated with for The Hat Box show at the MBFF. We do make a great partnership as you can see from the photos.

The staff of the Hotel Conrad and Treasury Casino excelled themselves as the cuisine and service were excellent whilst the room looked beautiful with bowls of roses on every table.

Fashion Friday Host Georgina Lewis

Model wears Meredith McMaster Rose Headpiece

MYER/VRC FASHIONS ON THE FIELD QLD FINALS

Last year, equine influenza forced this event to be relocated to the Myer Queen Street store, but happily, 11th October saw Ladies Day back at Eagle Farm racecourse again.

Katie Flockart and Bridget Tomkins of the Victorian Racing Club Events team hosted the fashion competition in their usual charming and efficient manner.

Judges included The Courier Mail’ fashion writer Paddy Hintz, The Sunday Mail’s Anouska Tucker-Evans and last year’s winner, Lauren Walker. I was impressed with the calibre of entrants which made the final decision a hard call but the unanimous winner was Ashleigh Robson, whose entire ensemble was made by her Grandmother, the super talented Sandra Robson. Runner-up was Laura Flynn whilst third place went to Maria Dalziel.

Sandra and Ashleigh will enjoy a five day Cup week trip to Melbourne staying at the Sofitel and attending all of the VRC’s official functions. What a wonderful prize.

Fashion Judge Paddy Hintz of The Courier Mail

Fashion Entrant Jane Boyle

Fashion Entrant, Milliner Kathy Newmann

Fashion Finalists Amanda MacCor & Maria Dalziel

The Happy Winners Pose with the Judges

Fashion Winners, Laura Flynn 2nd, Ashleigh Robson 1st, Maria Dalziel 3rd

Winner Ashleigh Robson with her ecstatic grandmother Sandra Robson

DERBY DAY AT FLEMINGTON

Only three weeks later saw me in Melbourne for the Derby on a typical freezing Spring day. My teeth chattered as I wished I were wearing thermal underwear under my black silk suit. I couldn’t believe that so many young women were wearing strapless dresses as it was only 18 degrees maximum. The new Myer fashion enclosure was quite impressive with a lot more room for guests and media and fortunately for entrants, under cover providing protection from the elements.

On a whim, as I felt especially stylish in my outfit made by my dear friend Pia du Pradal , I entered Fashions on the Field for the first time in years and nearly collapsed in shock when I made the final ten out of more than 200 entrants. What was even more unnerving was the fact that the final was being televised live by Channel 7 across Australia. The 10 of us were given hasty choreography and instructions on which camera to smile at which point on the catwalk and precisely where to stand. Being new to this I was amazed by the professionalism of the others. Not only was I twice their age, I’m sure I was the only one who looked like a rabbit in the spotlight! Winner Sarah Schofield looked sensational but at 6 feet 2 inches I wish she hadn’t stood next to me, I looked like a midget.

When it was over, it was wonderful to relax, have a champagne and catch up with friends – particularly my poor husband whom I had abandoned for eternity with the words, “This won’t take long, I’ll be back in a few minutes!”

Dale Makes the Fashion Finals

Canberra girls Angela Menz & Lisa Tan

Fashion Winner Sarah Schofield

Jennifer Hawkins Chats to Admirers

Sonia Kruger Talks to the Press

Fashion Judge, New York’s Patricia Field

With Judge, Milliner Richard Nylon

MELBOURNE CUP DAY BRISBANE

Sunday afternoon we flew back to Brisbane as I knew Monday would be a huge day in the shop – and it was. And also, once again I was asked by Tattersalls Club to judge Fashions on the Field on Melbourne Cup Day.

This is always an enjoyable and well-run function with the fashions held in the Long Bar then lunch in the ballroom. My fellow judges were once again Catherine Sheehy and Paul Barry. Our winner was Julie Phillips who looked stunning in black and red.

Fashion Winner Julie Phillips

Tatts Marketing Mgr Sarah Sherlock & Fashion MC Carolyn Donovan

With Fellow Judge Catherine Sheehy

Tattersalls Lunch Guest Amy Webb

Twins! Marie Chant & I show our style in identical Kennedy & Forbes outfits

VRC OAKS DAY CLUB LUNCH

I was quite abstemious on Melbourne Cup Day as I knew I was catching the ‘red eye’ flight back to Melbourne the next morning in order to attend the Oaks Club lunch at the Palladium at Crown that day. I only had time to check in to my hotel, change and call a cab to make it by midday. This luncheon is one of the highlights of Cup week in my opinion. Our table of Brisbane and Gold Coast women was organised by Jennifer Bartels under the banner of Women in Racing Inc. What a thrill it was to be chosen as the table with the best hats out of a room of 1500 beautifully dressed women. We each won a bottle of vintage Perle champagne and were interviewed by the handsome host Daniel McPherson of “City Homicide” fame.

I was surprised to see so many of my clients there, who came over to the table to say, “hello”. Also caught up with ex-Brisbane girl Annette Allison whom I hadn’t seen in years.

Milliners Peggy Stone & Richard Nylon

Oaks Lunch Guest Helen Rose

Models in Richard Nylon’s Glamorous Creations

Enjoying the Day with Kim Fletcher

Julie Phillips & Annette Allison at the VRC Crown Oaks Lunch

VRC CROWN OAKS DAY

Oaks Day, also known as Ladies Day dawned warm and sunny…well warmer than Derby Day anyway. By 10am we were back in the Myer Fashion enclosure where I met the Brisbane contingent: Ashleigh and Sandra Robson, Desleigh and Lauren Walker, Julie Phillips, Kerrina King, Anne and Jane Boyle and Kathy Neumann.

Kathy, one of The Hat Box milliners had entered the Millinery Awards and I was modelling her entry. Whilst her gorgeous hat didn’t win, I was chosen by Carson Cressley the MC as his choice for the “Carson Award”, which is his daily pick as his favourite entrant. While interviewing me, he said he loved my outfit as purple was his favourite colour and coveted my “divine’ shoes. Did he know it was supposed to be about the hat?

It was a terrific day spent in the company of fun people. Later in the afternoon three of us went down to the Birdcage, had a look around all of the marquees and ended up in the Myer marquee where we drank Moet & Chandon until 5pm when we were picked up by limo, courtesy of my friend Kerrina.

We even went to dinner that night – how’s that for stamina!! However, I wasn’t feeling all that flash for my 8am flight the next morning.

In the Myer Fashion Marquee with Lauren Walker

Sydney’s Peggy Stone Wears Another of her Stylish Hats

With Kathy Neumann who made my lovely “Hatinator”

Fashion Entrant Effie Cliff

The Lovely Kerrina King

Receiving my Award from Carson Cressley

ROMA CUP

Only a week at home to recuperate before heading off to the Roma Cup – a five and a half hour drive west of Brisbane. Once again, I was judging the fashions on the Field, this year with my friend, Jennie Bartels, director of Women in Racing Inc. Jennie was also presenting a trophy to the entrant chosen as Bella Roma, a young woman who typified the well dressed “country gal”.

Friday night however saw us at Bassett Park’s cocktail party and Roma Cup Calcutta. Renewed my acquaintance with Ranald Ferrier, Turf Club President and his wife Sally, Liz Frith, Margaret and Stan Wallace and met the beautiful Jo McKinnon, former Channel 10 racing broadcaster and journalist, and now Aus Horse promoter who was the Club’s special guest.

Unlike Melbourne, Roma’s big day was hot and humid. Jim and I were guests of Williams and Partners for lunch before my duties commenced. I am always impressed by the way country women all over Queensland dress so well for the races. They leave some of the city girls to shame. Perhaps it’s because they have fewer occasions so they really make an effort. Well done ladies, you all looked fabulous.

However, there can be only one winner, Classic racewear winner was Dayna Wandrey, whilst Contemporary winner was Natasha Thorne. Wearing the Best hat was Courtney Kirk and Best Dressed man was Anthony Pianlo. The recipient of the Bella Roma trophy was Carlyn Lewis.

Miss Bella Roma, Carlyn Lewis being presented with her Trophy by WIR Director, Jennifer Bartels

Final of the Classic Racewear Category at the Roma Cup

Judging the Fashions on the Field with Jennie Bartels

Sally & Ranald Ferrier with Jennifer Bartels at the Roma Calcutta

Jo McKinnon of Aus Horse and Fashions on the Field Host

With the Member for Maranoa, Howard Hobbs & Elizabeth Ferrier

Contemporary Fashion Winners, Janelle Langton, runnerup & Natasha Thorne Winner

CLIENT'S PHOTOS

I received an e-mail from Karen Sheppard with a lovely photo of her taken on Cox Plate Day in Townsville when she won Best Hat in a sculptural piece by Ann Boyle.

This was the hat that Ann made for the Mercedes Benz Fashion festival and was featured in the Brisbane News. It couldn’t have gone to a better home, don’t you agree? Karen looks fabulous.

If you have won Best Hat or Best Dressed at a race meeting, in a hat from The Hat Box, please send me a photo, either print or e-mail and I will make sure it appears in my next Chatterbox page.

Will write again after the Magic Millions.

A very merry Christmas to you all and a happy, healthy new year.

 Ciao for now.

Dale

Karen Sheppard, Best Hat Winner at Townsville Turf Club