Tag Archives: Cable Beach

My “Hat Full of Dreams” Garden Runway

On a balmy Broome afternoon from the lush, sun kissed gardens of McAlpine House, something magical took flight. A light breeze whispered through the trees, carrying with it the spirit of decades of creative passion, and a journey that took me to the runways of New York Fashion Week. 

This year, I celebrate 10 years since my first of three annual showings at NYFW, with a collection that’s not just close to my heart – it’s pulled directly from the heart of Australia.

The garden was the perfect setting to launch my latest millinery collection, “Hat Full of Dreams.” Each creation one-off and bespoke, a story in itself, designed from the wild inspiration of remote outback Australia, particularly the Kimberley. I wanted this runway to feel personal, intimate, as if each guest could touch the dream I’d nurtured over the years. And what a dream it’s been! From the bright lights of New York to the frontier landscapes of the Kimberley, this collection draws deeply from the land that has always grounded me, giving each creation its own soul, its own story.

When the models graced the runway in my designs, it was more than just a fashion moment—it was a story coming alive. The rich pindan reds and deep blues echoed the hues of our Kimberley sunsets and open skies, the stunning beauty of Gantheaume Point, the abundance of birdlife and the delicate resilience of our native flowers. Every piece in the collection is a celebration of nature’s endless creativity and Australia’s striking landscapes, lovingly transformed into art that you can wear.

My recent adventure into the East Kimberley features heavily. The fig trees that sprouted from rocks and protective boabs that we camped beneath; the grasses, the gorges along with the unique hues of Roebuck Bay and the tidal sand shapes of Cable Beach – honestly, the inspiration never ends. 

This collection, like all my collections, isn’t just for the runway, though. These hats and headpieces are made to be owned, cherished, and passed down. Investing in a “Hats by Felicity” means owning a piece of outback Australia, a statement of style that transcends trends and holds a deeper connection to the land and its stories. Each creation is bespoke and unique, like the story it represents – tailored for those who appreciate the blend of adventure and elegance that our remote Australia inspires.

My heart sings as you take home a piece of this dream and experience the connection I feel to rural and remote Australia in each feather, each stitch, each trim, each piece of millinery art. My hats and headpieces aren’t just accessories – they are an investment in timeless elegance, in individuality, in stories waiting to be worn.

To see and feel more of the show, click the link to be there 🙂 Hat Full of Dreams video

Welcome to my “Hat Full of Dreams”. 

x flic 

Acknowledging my talented and beautiful models Katrin, Grace, Aimee, Taezha, Manuela, Toni, Marani, Koiki & Jenny and Photographer Laura, Videographer Leo and Pinctada McAlpine House, Broome.

Love the luck

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.

Cable Beach Broome

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.


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

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

xf