I Smell a Hat: MAAvellous Millinery & Hats for Spring Racing

Last Thursday the Millinery Association of Australia held their MAAvellous Millinery event showcasing the sumptuous Spring Racing millinery creations available for purchase from it's talented members. But importantly the event also raised funds for Rotary Health, a most excellent cause - if you haven't heard about the work Rotary Health have supported through the Mental Health First Aid Kit initiative, you really should look into it. It's a superb initiative endorsed by President Obama no less!

The Leopard Lounge at Melbourne Zoo was lavishly decked out in lush greenery, decadent lighting and a few exotic looking animals were spotted roaming around giving off that jungle vibe befitting the location.... (the animals were attached to heads before you get too concerned)!

The evening was MC'd by compere extraordinaire Richard Nylon, with a jungle inspired dance performance from DANCENTRE (complete with spectacular jungle headwear, and matching make-up by Birdie Hair & Beauty), followed by a choreographed fashion show of the millinery spring collections, and lastly a really inspiring talk from the spokespeople at Rotary Health.

Millinery displays with pieces available for sale from local and interstate milliners surrounded the room adding to the colour and energy of the event. I hadn't previously attended a MAA event and was really impressed, so glad I made the effort - sign me up for next year! Congratulations to Sandy Forrester and the MAA members for their efforts in pulling together such a vibrant and fun event

If you haven't got your hat yet for the races, don't despair it isn't too late! Head (pun intended) on down to the Millinery Association pop-up shop in Melbourne Central from 7th October to 4th November and grab yourself a unique piece of millinery art.

And remember, October 11th is Hat Day so wear a hat and raise funds for mental health. There's no excuse not to!

AAx

P.S if I haven't credited anyone for their work please get in touch with me through the "I Smell a Hat" Facebook page and I'll add your name to the photo - despite best efforts I didn't quite catch everyone (too much talking on my part!) or all the displays, so my apologies there.

Credits for the animal hats in the next few pictures are as follows; Peacock-Michele Cameron /Tortoise-Gillian Andrews /Butterfly-Di Kilduff /Elephant & Zebra -Sandy Forrester/ Fish & Echidna-Catherine Ellen / Leopard -Margaret Jackson / Lion Cub-Angela Menz / Barrramundi (dreamtime-Waltraud Reiner / Collection of Snakes-Sharon Dale /Spider in Web-Karin Goodman