Category Archives: On the move to New York Fashion Week – September 2014

My proud runway bow

Posted on October 4, 2014 | 2 comments

New York Fashion Week. Wow! Where on this great privileged earth do I begin?

I don’t know how to explain how absolutely petrified, insanely excited and ridiculously proud I was all at once, that moment when the show hair stylist pushed me through the entrance and on to the runway because as we all predicted, I froze and stalled at the gate.

In the lead up to the show, our East Village apartment had likened a sweat shop as my buddies who had flown in from around the globe helped put together goodies for the 150 VIP show bags.

Holly the sweat shop Manager

There are only certain friends in the world you can ask to fold programs without looking at the contents within.

I wanted my friends who had made the big NYFW trip, to not see a snippet of the collection before the big day. They weren’t allowed to the viewing nights in Broome or the fittings day in New York. My house and backyard studio were even out of bounds. I wanted them to experience the wow factor on the day, as VIP guests at the New York Fashion Week show.

Karen and Holly seated and waiting for the show

I did make one exception to the rule for my friend Jane, from the Kimberley desert region of Western Australia, to have a backstage pass to help with the models dresses and shoes and bless Jane, she even kept her glasses off for most of the backstage experience to not focus on the headpieces that I was still trying to keep a surprise. I am sure Jane and Lidia (my other saviour helping hand) could write their own blog of our time backstage, however, we’ve decided that what happens behind the scenes at Fashion Week is a form of secret women’s business that will stay behind the scenes.

Backstage Jane has a model dressed and ready to go

While we were backstage, the rest of my 20 guests excitedly lined up for their VIP show seats out the front of the Helen Mills Event Space in Chelsea, revelling in the excitement and keeping an impressive run of social media updates for those back home in Australia and Broome.

I was the first designer to showcase at the Designers Premier so my music created the opening mood for the show and what an emotional, heart hitting opening I proudly presented to the world. Created to perfection by incredible talent from Broome, the NYFW chatter was quickly quietened by the emotional tribal tune that left no dry Kimberley eye at the show.

Behind the scenes we could not see but only hear the crowd reaction as one by one the models took the runway and showcased to perfection, my collection of hand crafted, one-off, millinery pieces; the wearable art that had consumed my year by it’s creation.

A model prepares to enter the runway

Each piece presented to the runway was proudly named in honour of my friends, who in March this year held a surprise gala fundraising event to help me get where I proudly stood this moment – on the runway of New York Fashion Week, presenting the millinery fashion for Spring/Summer 2015.

My VIP guests behaving according

I had been so busy backstage that my nerves didn’t enter the room until my time to enter the runway and as mentioned, I did need a little push. That walk down the white runway towards the hustle of cameras is a blur. I remember seeing my friends and being unable to control the smile that took over my face but I couldn’t hear a thing and don’t remember anything other than giving a wave to a familiar face on the way back and towards my out.

Proudly wearing RM Williams, Sportscraft and Jewels of the Kimberley pearls from Broome

My fabulous RM Williams boots scooted me up and down that runway without me coordinating a step. Twelve months of preparation, of creation and administration was over in around eight incredible minutes flat. The models had presented my 20 piece collection to the world and I proudly took my bow. And back in Broome now, the entire adventure seems a dream.

As the reality sets in I’ll tell more tales – in the meantime, I’ll leave you with these first pics of Hats by Felicity behind the scenes and on the runway of New York Fashion Week.

Enjoy. xf

2 Comments

Posted in General, On the move to New York Fashion Week - September 2014

Tagged Broome, Designers Premier, Fashion Gallery, Hats by Felicity, Helen Mills Event Space, Jewels of the Kimberley, New York Fashion Week, pearls, RM Williams, Sportscraft

Station hand stitches

Posted on August 23, 2014 | 7 comments

It’s definitely a huge relief that my millinery collection bound for NYFW is complete and on its way. All the other jobs on the NYFW to do list, however, just keep coming … the models, their shoes, dresses, hair and makeup, the music, promotional goods, naming, pricing, programs, media and of course the question on everyone’s lips, what I am going to wear?
Among the ever consuming list of Fashion Week preparations, we’ve also had the Broome race round and the famous Ladies Day and Cup Day.
I finally finished creating the last Broome Cup bespoke commission piece, which incidentally I am proud to say was for the Hon Julie Bishop, on the eve of the race event which was just in the nic of time to make it to the local Broome rodeo.
This annual, action packed, rough riding event brings the bush to town for an evening of thrills and spills and for most, is the perfect warm up for the Broome Cup races the next day.
My visiting girlfriends and I were throwing down some celebratory beverages to signify my finishing all hats and our long and overdue reunion, when we were introduced to Arno, a young station hand from a Kimberley cattle station.
Arno was working for friends of mine so I had already heard about this handy backpacker that within moments had us greatly entertained. His story telling combined with his Belgium accent had us in fits of laughter, particularly with the story of working on the horse barriers at Ladies Day, when he noticed a lady with a shocking rip in her dress. Arno had us on the edge of the rodeo arena with the story of how he whisked her away into his van and promptly sewed up her dress. Who would have guessed that Arno the station hand was a Belgium fashion designer as well?
“Show us your work” we echoed as the dust filled our jaw dropped mouths. With one eye focussed on the bull ride, the other scrolled the exquisite fashion work of Arno, our new and fashionable friend.
“Perhaps you could make my after party dress for New York Fashion week” I said, to which he excitedly replied “Of course”.
Well, that was the beginning of another thread to this journey. Arno grabbed an empty pizza box half buried in the arena dirt and after finally finding a pen, he quickly started to sketch.

“I can’t have anything long” I said, because my legs are short”.
“I know”. He replied.
“And I don’t have a waist,” I quickly added.
“I know” he said, with a slight edge of pity. How he could see these self confessed flaws I had no idea, as I was wearing a jacket, scarf and jeans.
Within minutes the crowd around Arno and his pizza box grew and when he revealed the final draft of my after party dress everyone gasped as loudly as when the ringer proposed to his girlfriend in the arena earlier that night.

The next day Arno arrived to take my measurements and borrow my sewing machine to set up at his campsite in Broome and sew a practice dress. Four hours later he was back and pinning me into this draft creation that I would have been happy to wear to the races! This is one very talented man!

The next day I met Arno to purchase his chosen materials for the final masterpiece and set him up in my hat studio before I headed off to my day job. I returned that evening to be pinned into the creation that had me speechless. I felt like a princess, like Carrie Bradshaw herself on the streets of New York. I was in awe.

After a few more alterations and an early night, Arno set off for the four hour drive back to the cattle Station where he spent the week fencing and working with cattle by day and sewing my NYFW after party dress by night.
I’m yet to see the final product that will come into town from the Station this week but I’m feeling completely confident and totally excited that while other tasks remain unachieved on the NYFW list, not only do we have yet another magnificent chapter to this story but I have no doubt I will also soon have a spectacular, truly unique NYFW after party dress.
Keep smiling and stay tuned …

and here’s Julie Bishop in her Hats by Felicity headpiece.

7 Comments

Posted in General, On the move to New York Fashion Week - September 2014

Tagged Broome Cup Day, Broome Ladies Day, Hats by Felicity, Julie Bishop, New York Fashion Week

The white sky wish

Posted on July 26, 2014 | 2 comments

I wished for a white sky and when you live in Broome, WA where each day is sunny and the perfect hue of blue, a white sky is quite the far fetched wish.

However, on the July morning of the Hats by Felicity parade at Broome Turf Club where I unveiled the 2014 collection, we woke to a chilly, windy and white sky in Broome.

Photographer Tao and I could not believe our luck.

The NYFW runway at the Helen Mills Event space where I will soon unveil the NYFW collection is white and I wanted to see how my hats will pop amongst white, hence the white sky wish.

The Hats by Felicity collection was paraded on an outdoor stage at the Broome Turf club event, however, you could definitely think these photos were taken in a studio room.

Thanks to the white sky wish, the below visuals showcase my current, local collection perfectly. I love the end result.

You can see why I am ridiculously excited to see how the currently under wraps but soon to be released NYFW collection is about to pop!

Keep smiling. x f

2 Comments

Posted in General, On the move to New York Fashion Week - September 2014

Tagged Hats by Felicity, Helen Mills Event Space, New York Fashion Week, Taos Travels and Photography

Love the luck

Posted on July 18, 2014 | 2 comments

This morning I went for my beach walk. I haven’t been on my morning ritual for a while and was chomping at the bit to top that stairwell and soak in the magnificence that is Cable Beach. My mornings have been otherwise consumed by sewing last minute touches for bespoke commission pieces, cleaning The Quarters, my accommodation business that is well booked at this time of the year and trying to rid a chest cold and cough that snuck in when I wasn’t looking. This morning though, I pledged myself the joy of getting back on that beach. It was a chilly morning (yes, Broome gets cool) so I put the car keys in the pocket of my hoodie, unravelled my earphones and listened to True Blue, that my iPhone shuffle so aptly played as I topped the stairwell over the beach. Ahhh that scene.

I headed off in my regular direction towards Gantheume point and quickly found myself immersed in the morning. My thoughts were racing and they were all over the place, from the sleeping arrangements of our apartment in New York to wondering where in the world my brother’s job has him travelling today and how white my legs look in the parade photos and other small world stuff. I had walked for about 30 minutes and hadn’t even looked into the ocean where I often see a beautiful family of sting ray or better still at this time of the year, whales. I noticed a golden ray of sunshine on the boats anchored off Gantheume point and then realised how far I had walked – almost too far to ensure I make it back home for a shower and to work on time. I quickly turned, annoyed at myself for not taking in the scene and instead thinking about how well my friends would sleep on the eve of my New York Fashion Week show. I couldn’t even remember what music had played in my ears. I love to jog up the stairwell at the end of each walk. Grabbing my pockets for the impending run, I froze in horror with the realisation that my pocket was empty and my keys were gone! House keys, car key, mail key, padlock keys, work keys, you name it. There was nothing in the pocket except a hole. I looked back up that long stretch of beach. I couldn’t even remember how far up I had walked. I ran back to my car in the hope I had lost them at the beginning of the walk; but nothing. Aware of the time and the hopeless task before me I headed back to the beach and embarked what I could only hope was a similar path to what I had walked this morning. Taking a deep breath I focused on the footprints in the sand and on each shell and rock that protruded from every ounce of beach. I couldn’t believe I had been so consumed with small world stuff that I didn’t hear or feel my keys fall through my pocket. Usually I notice the birds, the crabs and sea life, the boats anchored and heading out to the horizon and the cloud formations in the sky. This morning I didn’t even know where I had walked. I walked and scanned but after reaching the end point I thought I had made it to earlier, decided to turn home and while still searching for the keys, started to make some plans about what to do when I got back to my car, presuming my car would still be there. Scanning the beach and devising the plan, I had almost made it back to the stairs having done my hour walk a second time, when the red tag popped out of the sand in front of me. There, right in my trail, amongst the many foot prints of sand, on the big Cable Beach, was my full set of keys. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. I bounced up the stairs, turned towards the ocean and thanked the day. How was my luck? I couldn’t believe it.

My morning walks have always been my grounding. I have forever maintained the reason I can achieve the often ridiculous schedule of life events is because I spend the morning with the beach. Cable beach passed on a very clear message to me this morning and I took it on board. What was I doing sweating the small stuff? I was so consumed, even having sleepless nights by silly, petty, worries and thoughts when all the while I have much bigger fish to fry. This morning reminded me to focus.

In six weeks I will be flying over Cable Beach, out of Australia and over to New York Fashion Week where I will represent the country as the first Australian on the runway at the Helen Mills Event Space, Chelsea, New York; showcasing my millinery passion to the world.

Thank you, Cable Beach and thank you sweet lady Broome.

I’m focused again, albeit with stiff legs and sore calf muscles.

2 Comments

Posted in General, On the move to New York Fashion Week - September 2014

Tagged Cable Beach, Hats by Felicity, Helen Mills Event Space, Milliner on the move, New York City Fashion week, New York Fashion Week

New York state of mind

Posted on May 17, 2014 | 1 comment

Apparently there is only three months till I am on the runway of New York Fashion Week!

I don’t know where to begin. The white board has a jobs list, the infamous Roebuck Bay coloured green diary has a multitude of lists, there are pieces of paper strewn across the house and post it pads all over my computers and walls and fridges with more and more lists; even the kitchen blackboard has a list BUT I don’t feel I am getting anywhere near achieving the New York Fashion Week list of jobs to do – and I’m due on the runway in THREE months time!

We all move through life saying how fast time is passing but I have to say, i’m with those that believe 2014 is on speed!

Since the last update, the models shoes look like they might be close to sorted with the Fashion Gallery helping me find a suitable choice. The Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has recommended and introduced me to a designer for the dresses and most importantly, my own runway collection is underway.

But there came a time when I couldn’t move in the studio, with headpieces hidden everywhere so I decided to have a viewing night.

I am blessed with friends. I have the most supportive, proactive, encouraging and committed friends and i’m still pinching myself that over a dozen of them are making the trip to New York for the Fashion Week event.

A few friends who are coming to NYFW and one that should be …

I want to give these beautiful friends the experience of a life time when my creations enter the room and therefore have decided they are not allowed to see any part of the collection until they are sitting there, poised in their VIP chairs on the runway at the Helen Mills Events Space for the New York Fashion Week event.

Some of these fabulous friends have been less inclined to accept this unexpected fate but I stand firm and hence, they were not invited to the viewing night.

One of these dear friends who is coming to New York lives on a remote cattle station 10 hours drive from Broome, in the middle of the desert. When Jane makes it to town I am so excited and can’t wait to catch up with her (and kids and husband too) and you wouldn’t believe it but Jane was in town for the School of the air camp school when the viewing night was on. We couldn’t have planned it better but what was that great decision of mine? …. not allowed?! Oh dear … remind me why I made that rule? I felt SO cruel!

Enjoying the hospitality of Jane and family at Yougawalla station

Jane is so into her millinery – even when she’s out mustering cattle

The Viewing night was filled with friends that have been on the journey with me, have always shown an interest but who won’t be in New York for the show; along with a few party crashers that I completely welcomed. I am still overwhelmed that ten of the 20 guests were men.

Twenty people in my lounge room and I was nervous! What the hell am I going to do on the runway of New York Fashion Week?! I was however, thrilled at how seriously my friends took the judging part of the night and can’t thank them enough for the comments, the constructive criticism and their valued input. It’s everyone’s journey to New York and I love that my friends know it!

I know I said I wasn’t going to show any pics of pieces from the viewing night but this sacrifice headpiece viewed on the Today Show is the ONE allowed ..

Wishing you laughter, giggles and fun beautiful people.

It’s back to the studio and all those jobs lists for me! x f

1 Comment

Posted in General, On the move to New York Fashion Week - September 2014

Tagged AWI, Fashion Gallery, fgnyfw, Hats by Felicity, Helen Mills Event Space, Milliner on the move, New York City Fashion week, New York Fashion Week

A few of my favourite things

Posted on April 21, 2014 | Leave a comment

Collecting mail from the Post Office is my new, most favourite thing. Over the years I have often received tubes, envelopes and shoe boxes filled with stunning hand collected feathers from friends and strangers around the country. Since my albeit nervous appearance on the Today Show last month these postbox surprises have escalated to cards and letters of support, feathers, invitations and gifts. I received a sample wool clip from a QLD family’s shearing, even a wool pack, a New York styled passport holder and the generous list goes on.
This journey has so many exciting roads – some days I don’t know which way to turn. The generosity has overwhelmed me and I am just so excited to take everyone on the ride.
Thanks to Broome’s New York themed Gala fundraising event and the incredible amount of money raised from the night, the exciting news is that my registration is now complete for the New York Fashion Week event. In addition to the privilege I have also paid for the models, their hair and makeup, the invitations etc and most importantly, my position on the runway is secured. With great excitement and a fair amount of nervousness I can also announce that Hats by Felicity is opening the show! Yes, on September 7 at 4pm we will be first out on the runway! And you thought I was nervous on the Today Show …

Like collecting the mail, reading the comments of support on the Pozible crowd funding site is my new, most favourite way to start the day. I feel so humbled and can’t wipe the grin that proudly extends from ear to ear. Now in it’s final hours, the site’s funds raised will at the very least, support the packaging, freight and insurance to get the collection from Broome to New York. The collection is now well underway and if you click on the updates section of the pozible site I have included a snippet of pics but only a sneak peak – I want you all to enjoy the full runway experience at the time.

http://www.pozible.com/hatsbyfelicity

I hope you have all had a lovely Easter with family and friends. I certainly have. Now it’s back to the studio to create, create, create. I have taken some time off from the day job to dedicate a solid week to the hats so I’ll see you when I come up for air.
In the meantime, for your enjoyment (even though it makes me cringe) here’s the link to the Today Show. As we can all tell, one’s first time in front of a camera is extremely nerve wrecking and definitely not one of my most favourite things ..

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/broome-to-the-big-apple/xd9ip7x

Hugs and bubbles all round.

x f

Thank you

Posted on March 28, 2014 | 2 comments

For almost a week now I have been trying to find the right words to express my heartfelt thanks for the crowd funding link and the surprise event in Broome. The New York themed fundraisers have honoured not only my opportunity to the runway but also, they have most humbly honoured me.

I’m not convinced I will ever be able to convey what this act of superb kindness has done for me and I may not know everyone involved but to those precious people who have donated through the pozible site, the girls at Broome Florist, Green Tree Room, Leon Mead, Chris Maher, Garrett Prendiville and the Mangrove team; Kira and the Kimberley Girls, Marissa & Ross, Target, Carpet Paint & Tile; those super-generous beings who donated exquisite items to auction; my brother Matt, my friends who travelled across the country from the desert and the city and to the magnificent Community of beyond and Broome – Thank You.

As for those women of magnificence, my friends that planned this event and established the site and have constantly supported me so well – sometimes I struggle with the right words and when naming my creations I often suffer the same.

To each of you who have done this for me, I honour you through my collection bound for New York.

When the Hats by Felicity creations present to the runway and the world, … I will introduce to you; the Natasha, Hilary, Holly, Penelope, Jodi, Vinka and Sam; the Trish, Kylie, Ellyn, Josie, Kelli, Melanie, Anne-Marie, Leah and Jane.

This is my honour to you … and now the entire collection is almost named.

Thank you. x flic

Hats by Felicity Crowd Funding Link

.@Hatsbyfelicity needs help getting from Broome to the Big Apple, visit: http://t.co/LhbHKxT89X. Go Felicity! #today9

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) March 23, 2014

2 Comments

Posted in General, On the move to New York Fashion Week - September 2014

Tagged Broome Ladies Day, Hats by Felicity, Kimberley Girl, Milliner on the move, New York Fashion Week

A Sun Kissed Valentine

Posted on February 13, 2014 | Leave a comment

Twelve months ago today I experienced a very different kind of Valentine’s Day, enduring the first of two surgeries to remove the nasty melanoma from my arm. Melly-the-noma as the legion was known was the beginning of an adventure that I could have never predicted. But here we are, 12 months on, healthy, sporting a scar and preparing for the runway of New York.

February 2013

February 2014

“How are the preparations going?” many have asked. Well, I’m slowly getting over the creator’s block that unexpectedly snuck in and so far, the timetable seems to be working. I have completed six pieces in total since the New Year, not all bound for New York but I definitely deem a few worthy of the trip.

And I can’t help myself – I have to share a few sneak peeks with you …

February in Broome is not the ideal time to be working in a tin shed. I usually don’t start the year’s creating until it’s less humid and hot but given this year’s New York deadline, the studio shed lights are on.

I have arranged for the tin doors to be replaced, which will not only help the struggling air conditioner to cope but will provide me with some glorious natural light. The glass doors haven’t arrived yet but hopefully soon.

Not working in my normal environment isn’t conducive to productivity. I’ve been working in my house, trekking to and from the shed, sometimes just for a thimble. Fingers crossed the new doors arrive soon and this milliner can be on the move back into the shed atelier.

My New York story is generating media interest with journalists from all over dropping me a line; there’s even a film crew sniffing about. Of course I am completely out of my depth with this. I am used to interviewing and being on the viewfinder side of the camera, so I have yelled (loudly and with a quiver) for help from a very experienced and treasured friend, to whom I can tell I am about to be indebted forever.

Feathers and other goodies have been coming in from around Australia, for which I say the biggest thank you. I love hand collected feathers, not only for their natural beauty but for the chapter they add to the unique story of each headpiece.

You will always here me praise my amazing friends and this post is no exception. A cheeky group of buddies from both within and external to the Broome Community have been quietly organising an event in my honour, to celebrate the impending New York Fashion Week honour. Of course they aren’t being forward with too many details but I’m told patience is the virtue so I’m waiting very patiently!

The Kimberley has been enjoying such a big Wet season. Plants in my garden are flowering that I didn’t know even flowered. The inspiration is endless.

As well as creating the collection, my current focus is my health, especially given the diagnosis twelve months ago. I have completed a seven day detox to cleanse the internals and get back on track. I find February a good time to successfully achieve this often quite difficult task. By this time the New Year celebrations have subsided and my favourite Australia Day and its associated silliness has come and gone.

And of course there’s no better exercise than a morning walk along Cable Beach.

So, as I head for my six monthly skin check, I encourage any of you with sun kissed skin like mine to book your appointment too.

Till next time … Valentine giggles all round.

x Felicity

New York Fashion Week – every little girls dream

Posted on December 17, 2013 | 3 comments

It’s official! The invitation to bring Hats by Felicity to the runway of New York Fashion Week is accepted, the registration contract has been signed and our spot is secured! Sunday 7th September 2014 at 4pm is the date to stick a feather on your calendar, when we will be back in New York City at the Helen Mills Event Space. This time, however, as a designer showcasing the Hats by Felicity Spring/Summer 2015 collection at New York Fashion Week! How do you think we are feeling?

You guessed it – absolutely petrified!

I have pinched myself so much that strangers are staring at the bruises and believe me, the cliche is exactly what every little girl dreams it to be. Sometimes I wake wondering if I have dreamt the whole thing. My hat studio however, soon reminds me of the reality and chaos that my life has now entered, with feathers, flowers, fabrics and a white board full of jobs to do between now and the big apple event.

Where to start? To be truthful, I haven’t really known but to get the creations underway I can guarantee I’ll be going few places other than the hat studio this festive break.

As we speak I am cleaning, preening and trimming feathers in anticipation of the designs, currently drawn on envelopes, toilet paper, fuel receipts and drawing apps on the go, being created into stunning reality and bringing to life the inaugural Hats by Felicity collection for New York.

Petrified is of course just one of the many emotions stitching my self each day and I have to say, I wouldn’t trade the exhilaration, excitement and thrill of the honour. I have all intentions of doing you so proud. Especially those who have already packed their bags to join the fun and support me at the event.

Stay tuned funstars …. and keep smiling all the way to the stage. We are on!

x f