Cherished clients,

Summer is definitely here and Christmas is just around the corner. The last couple of months have been frantically busy over the Spring racing Carnival and it’s been a bumper season for The Hat Box. All of the milliners took record numbers of special orders and floor stock disappeared fast. It’s now being replenished in time for the Magic Millions week on the Gold Coast in January.

JENNIFER BARTELS TURNS 60

On Friday 30th October, a large contingent of Queenslanders flew south to help Women in Racing director Jennifer Campbell Bartels celebrate her big 60 at Melbourne’s lovely old Windsor Hotel. Being Derby Day the following day, everyone stayed the weekend which made for one long party. Amongst the guests were Jenny’s sister Karen and family, fellow WIR director Baslyn Beel, JimScully, John and Margaret Lenehan, Andrew and Effie Cliff, Vince Pennisi and Kerrina King, Lauren and Desley Walker and Lorraine Dickinson.

Lauren Walker, Dale, Jennie Bartels & Lorraine Dickinson

DERBY DAY

As usual, Melbourne’s weather was totally unpredictable. Last year, we shivered in the cold, this year we sweltered in 30+ temperatures. I managed to catch up with a few friends and clients in the Fashions on the Field marquee and, just for fun, I entered the Fashions again and made the semi finals. Deborah Hunter, in a black and white spot Dolce e Gabbana blouse and skirt was the eventual winner. I’m always impressed with the organisation of the Fashions on the Field at Flemington. It’s such a big job however it all runs smoothly and efficiently. More than one racing club could pick up a few tips!

Dale & Effie Cliff on Derby Day

Dale with Lauren Walker

Dale and Lorraine Dickinson

Josephine Juliano and Angela Menz.

Finalist Alys Robertson

Derby Day Winner Deborah Hunter and Sonya Kruger

MELBOURNE CUP DAY TATTERSALLS CLUB

It was back to Brisbane for Melbourne Cup day, judging the Fashions off the Field for Tattersalls Club. Once again, my fellow judges were the stylish Catherine Sheehy and Paul Barry of Paul Barry Menswear, whilst event MC was the gorgeous Carolyn Donovan. The club had a huge turnout with the ballroom and both dining rooms filled to capacity. This lunch seems to get more popular every year as does the fashion judging with dozens of entrants, both male and female.

Our final choice was Genevieve Fraser and runner up Melinda Rojahn, both of whom looked very elegant. Sarah Sherlock capably made sure that everything was running smoothly – she is such an asset to the club. It was a terrific day and the icing on the cake was my $10 each way bet on Shocking – just because I liked the name. Yay!

A Debonair Couple.

Fashions off the Field winners Genevieve Fraser & Melinda Rojahn

Fashion MC, the lovely Carolyn Donovan

Dale and Julie Phillips.

The Crowd Enjoying the Fashions off the Field

The Judges Admire Melinda Rojahn’s style.

Dale, Club CEO Michael Paramor. Catherine Sheehy

Maree Chant, Modish in Melon

OAKS CLUB LUNCH PALLADIUM

The next morning saw me on a 6am flight back to Melbourne for one of my favourite functions of the year – the Oaks Club lunch at the Palladium, Crown Casino. Jenny Bartels organises our table of 10 Queenslanders each year under the auspices of Women in Racing and we’re all very grateful she does – these tables sell out in minutes, they are so highly prized. This year’s floral and culinary theme was Mediterranean and the room was lavishly decorated. Whilst nibbling on our antipasto we were serenaded by the exquisite tenor voice of Mario La Spina and later by the yummy Ronan Keating. We all agreed it was a fabulous afternoon.

Kay Barr of Gladstone at the Palladium

Pamela Larsen at the Oaks Club lunch

The Divine Ronan Keating

CROWN OAKS DAY

The following day it was back to Flemington for Oaks Day, traditionally Ladies Day. This is my favourite day of the carnival as it is the most fashionable day with the finals of the Fashions on the Field as well as the judging of the Millinery Award. Much cooler than Derby day as well as being windy, it was good to get out of the elements and inside the fashion marquee.

Once again, I entered, and once again, I made it as far as the semi finals. As we all know, there is rarely a fashion competition without controversy, so when the West Australian finalist, Elizabeth Pollard wearing a simple blouse and skirt was chosen as overall winner, there was a lot of dissent amongst the crowd, including fashion journalists, who believed the prize should have gone to the Melbourne Cup day winner, Sarah Kelly, elegant in a tailored grey Cue design and accessorised with a broad brimmed feather trimmed hat. Oh well, you can’t please everybody it seems.

The professional Millinery Award entries were particularly lovely this year, I thought. Simpler than last year, but more elegant. I was delighted when Kerrie Stanley’s headpiece of orange straw bows with veiling was chosen as winner as it was my personal favourite. I also loved the pieces by Serena Lindeman and Louise McDonald. For a lover of style, it was a day of fashion heaven.

The statuesque Lauren Walker

Fashion Finalist, Brisbane’s Nicole Mellit

Cairns Milliner Amanda Macor

The Six State Finalists

Alanna and Tony Loveless of the Gold Coast

Brissie Girls – Desley Walker, Sandra Robson and Julie Phillips

Recently engaged Brisbanites, Andrew Byrne and Eleisha Boevink

Oaks Day winner Yasmin Sait-Armstrong, Melbourne Cup Day Winner Sarah Kelly & Derby Winner Deborah Hunter

Millinery Award Winner Kerrie Stanley with her model

Melbourne Milliner Kim Fletcher with Dom and Anna Bagnato

Dale smells the Flemington Roses

ST CATHERINE’S DAY

According to legend, St Catherine is the patron saint of milliners and her special day is the 25th November. Throughout Europe, milliners get together on this day and have parades, feasts and general get togethers. I’m not one to buck the trend – any excuse for a party, I say. So each year the Brisbane milliners celebrate a successful Spring Racing Carnival and toast the lady who is the source of our success. The Keri Craig Emporium hosted our champagne high tea and a jolly time was had by all. We even became a tourist attraction with several visitors to Brisbane curious about the ladies in hats wanted to photograph us.

Ann Boyle, Patricia Balmer, Sandra Robson, Dale, Elizabeth R, Shirley Howie and Meredith McMaster

Elizabeth R,. Shirley Howie, Meredith McMaster and Alexandra Harper.

THE RED LUNCH

1st December is World AIDS Day and the fashion industry here always supports the Hope Fund which raises money for those afflicted. The Red lunch this year in the Courtyard Marquee at the Conrad Hotel featured one-off accessory items from a variety of designers which were then sold at a silent auction. Hat Box milliners, Ann Boyle, Meredith McMaster and Patricia Balmer donated original headpieces to the cause. Project Runway’s Leigh Buchanan entertained the crowd as MC and the whole event was a style triumph.

Meredith McMaster, Dale and Ros Tilse

Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival Directors Bryce Williams & Lindsay Bennett

Ladies in Red. Stylist Kim Ring and Jodie Bache-McLean of Dallys Models

Dale with fashion designer Daniel Lightfoot

Jewellery designer Paula Kyle Walden

I always love to get pics from clients so here’s a lovely couple of shots. Karen Sheppard won Best Hat on Caufield Cup day in Townsville in this gorgeous hot pink Sandra Robson creation while Leah Gilmore, a frequent Fashions on the Field winner, has graduated to chief organiser and MC of the Fashions in that city. Here she is in a Meredith McMaster cream floral headpiece. Don’t they both look fabulous?

Leah Gilmore

A wonderful Christmas to you all. Stay safe, healthy and happy over the holiday season and may 2010 bring you all good things. I’ll be back after the Magic Millions with all the shots of the Gold Coast glamour girls.

Ciao for now

Dale